Enterococcus faecalis Endocarditis After Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of a Large Sessile Colonic Polyp

A 71-year-old man with mitral regurgitation and apical cardiomyopathy underwent endoscopic mucosal resection of a 22-mm transverse colon tubulovillous adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. Six weeks later, he presented with fever, valvular vegetations, and positive blood cultures for Enterococcus faecalis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of endocarditis involving native heart valves after endoscopic mucosal resection

Metal Stent Insertion for Malignant Obstruction of a Colostomy

A 47-year-old female with metastatic cervical cancer and diverting colostomy presented with abdominal distention and minimal stool output from her colostomy. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a metastatic mass causing partial obstruction at the colostomy level and significant proximal colonic dilation. Her obstruction was relieved by the endoscopic placement of a metal stent through the stoma, with the stent’s distal edge visible externally but not protruding beyond skin level. Two months later, the stent remained patent and did not migrate. This case highlights a viable palliative treatment option for patients who are not operative candidates

Improvement of Osteoporosis Screening among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients at Gastroenterology Fellows’ Clinics

Introduction Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of osteoporosis compared to the general population. We aimed to improve the osteoporosis screening rate in the IBD patient population of the gastroenterology (GI) fellows' continuity clinics. Methods Baseline preintervention data were collected on patients seen from July through September of 2018. Four simplified criteria for osteoporosis screening were extrapolated from 3 national guidelines. Among patients who met any of these criteria, we determined the baseline screening rate. Fellows were then educated with a didactic session and handout material, and a standardized template was incorporated into clinic notes. Following this intervention, screening rates were reassessed from December 2018 through February 2019. Results During the preintervention phase, fellows saw 80 patients with IBD. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was obtained in 44% of IBD patients who qualify for screening at the county hospital clinic compared to 21% of veterans' clinic IBD patients. In the postintervention period, screening rates remarkably improved to 100% in the county hospital clinic and to 75% in the veterans' clinic. Overall, the screening rate increased by 56% (P < 0.001). Conclusions A large percentage of IBD patients at risk for osteoporosis did not have appropriate bone mass density testing. Educating GI fellows and adding a template to clinic notes were effective in significantly improving the number of patients at risk of osteoporosis to receive appropriate screening test, a DEXA scan. Similar educational interventions should be considered for providers caring for IBD patients to prevent complications of osteoporosis in these patients

Low Prevalence of Clinically Significant Endoscopic Findings in Outpatients with Dyspepsia

Background. The value of endoscopy in dyspeptic patients is questionable. Aims. To examine the prevalence of significant endoscopic findings (SEFs) and the utility of alarm features and age in predicting SEFs in outpatients with dyspepsia. Methods. A retrospective analysis of outpatient adults who had endoscopy for dyspepsia. Demographic variables, alarm features, and endoscopic findings were recorded. We defined SEFs as peptic ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis, malignancy, stricture, or findings requiring specific therapy. Results. Of 650 patients included in the analysis, 51% had a normal endoscopy. The most common endoscopic abnormality was nonerosive gastritis (29.7%) followed by nonerosive duodenitis (7.2%) and LA-class A esophagitis (5.4%). Only 10.2% had a SEF. Five patients (0.8%) had malignancy. SEFs were more likely present in patients with alarm features (12.6% versus 5.4%, p=0.004). Age ≥ 55 and presence of any alarm feature were associated with SEFs (aOR 1.8 and 2.3, resp.). Conclusion. Dyspeptic patients have low prevalence of SEF. The presence of any alarm feature and age ≥ 55 are associated with higher risk of SEF. Endoscopy in young patients with no alarm features has a low yield; these patients can be considered for nonendoscopic approach for diagnosis and management

Phenotype-Genotype Correlation in Wilson Disease in a Large Lebanese Family: Association of c.2299insC with Hepatic and of p. Ala1003Thr with Neurologic Phenotype

<div><p>Genotype phenotype correlations in Wilson disease (WD) are best established in homozygous patients or in compound heterozygous patients carrying the same set of mutations. We determined the clinical phenotype of patients with WD carrying the c.2298_2299insC in Exon 8 (c.2299insC) or the p. Ala1003Thr missense substitution in Exon 13 mutations in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state. We investigated 76 members of a single large Lebanese family. Their genotypes were determined, and clinical assessments were carried out for affected subjects. We also performed a literature search retrieving the phenotypes of patients carrying the same mutations of our patients in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state. There were 7 consanguineous marriages in this family and the prevalence of WD was 8.9% and of carriers of <i>ATP7B</i> mutation 44.7%. WD was confirmed in 9 out of 76 subjects. All 9 had the c.2299insC mutation, 5 homozygous and 4-compound heterozygous with p. Ala1003Thr. Six of our patients had hepatic, 2 had neurologic and 1 had asymptomatic phenotype. Based on our data and a literature review, clear phenotypes were reported for 38 patients worldwide carrying the c.2299insC mutation. About 53% of those have hepatic and 29% have neurologic phenotype. Furthermore, there were 10 compound heterozygous patients carrying the p. Ala1003Thr mutation. Among those, 80% having c.2299insC as the second mutation had hepatic phenotype, and all others had neurologic phenotype. We hereby report an association between the c.2299insC mutation and hepatic phenotype and between the p. Ala1003Thr mutation and neurologic phenotype.</p></div

Phenotypes of patients homozygous and/or heterozygous for the c. 2299insC reported in the literature.

<p>a. The identified c.2298–2299insC is referred to as c.2299insC.</p><p>b. The majority of asymptomatic patients in this study had transaminitis or hepatomegaly.</p><p>c. Asymptomatic transaminitis.</p><p>d. Asymptomatic fatty liver.</p><p>e. Unidentified or not reported.</p><p>Phenotypes of patients homozygous and/or heterozygous for the c. 2299insC reported in the literature.</p