Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma and Its Effect on Development of Cholangitis

Objective. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and establish the incidence of cholangitis development following ERCP. Material and Method. This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with inoperable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic drainage (stenting) with ERCP. Patients were evaluated for development of cholangitis and the effectiveness of ERCP. The procedure was considered successful if bilirubin level fell more than 50% within 7 days after ERCP. Results. Post-ERCP cholangitis developed in 40.7% of patients. Cholangitis development was observed among 39.4% of patients with effective ERCP and in 60.6% of patients with ineffective ERCP. Development of cholangitis was significantly more common in the group with ineffective ERCP compared to the effective ERCP group (P=0.001). The average number of ERCP procedures was 2.33 ± 0.89 among patients developing cholangitis and 1.79 ± 0.97 in patients without cholangitis. The number of ERCP procedures was found to be significantly higher among patients developing cholangitis compared to those without cholangitis (P=0.012). Conclusion. ERCP may not provide adequate biliary drainage in some of the patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and also it is a procedure associated an increased risk of cholangitis

The effect of web-based education on disease activity, symptom management and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: randomized-controlled study

###EgeUn###Background/Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of web-based education on disease activity, symptom management and quality of life in individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases. Methods: This randomized controlled study was carried out with two groups that were web-based and standard education groups. The disease information was given either via website or educational books. Results: At the beginning of the study, it was found that the majority of the patients who were in the mild disease stage mostly entered remission during the study, however, there was no significant difference found between the groups in terms of disease activity according to measurement times. It was determined that there was a significant difference among severity averages of diarrhea, abdominal pain and faecal blood symptoms of patients in both two groups with regard to the time interaction. It was observed that there was no significant intra-and intergroup difference in terms of the quality of life scores of the education groups, but there was an improvement observed in the quality of life of the patients over time. Conclusion: In this study, there were no significant differences found between the web-based and standard education, however symptom severity, disease activity and quality of life were found to be improved in both groups. It was concluded that is structured or individualized education is effective and important

Endosonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography show similar efficacy in selecting patients for ERCP in mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis

WOS: 000311871900023PubMed ID: 23161305Background/aims: We aimed to compare the value of endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in identifying the patients with mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis who require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Material and Methods: The study was prospectively conducted in a tertiary hospital between June 2006 and October 2009. Ninety-five patients without urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography requirement and with mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis were included in the study. Patients whose amylase, C-reactive protein, and bilirubin levels had decreased more than 50% on the fifth day compared to admission levels were randomized to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasonography, and the common bile duct was evaluated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in patients with stone detected with endoscopic ultrasonography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. With regard to the presence of common bile duct stone in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography performances were classified as therapeutic or diagnostic. Results: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in 16 of the 48 patients (33.3%) in the endoscopic ultrasonography group and in 18 of the 47 patients (38%) in the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography group. Therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in 14/16 patients (87%) in the endoscopic ultrasonography group and in 16/18 patients (88%) in the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography group. The ratio of total number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographis was not significantly lower in the endoscopic ultrasonography (16/48) than in the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (18147) group, and the ratio of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographis (14/16) was not higher in the endoscopic ultrasonography group than in the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography group (16/18). Conclusions: The necessity of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was determined with similar efficacy by endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis

Per oral endoscopic myotomy(POEM); a tertiary center experience with 143 cases in Turkey

WOS: 00038677600219

Characteristics of Newly Diagnosed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Across Turkey: Prospective Multicenter Observational 3K Registry Study

Aims: To evaluate patient profile for epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics and potential risk/prognostic factors in newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients across Turkey. Methods: A total of 547 patients (mean (SD) age 62.6 (10.3) years, 81.9% were males) were included in this registry study. Data on patient characteristics, etiologies of HCC, laboratory values, and tumor characteristics and stages were recorded at study enrollment. Results: HBV infection (68.2%) was the leading etiology, followed by HCV infection (17.2%), HDV infection (5.5%), alcohol (6.4%), and NAFLD (3.5%), as the major etiologies. Considering that 51.6% of the patients had >5 cm HCC, 44% were Child-Pugh B/C and 57% were BCLC B-D, it appears that a significant group of HCC patients were diagnosed at advanced stages. Of 540 patients, 271 (50.2%) were referred or applied with the diagnosis of HCC. Patients with HCC at presentation had larger tumor size (median (min-max) 6.6 (0-30) vs. 4.8 (0-90) cm, P.001) and more advanced BCLC stage (Stage C-D in 40.8% vs. 26.4%, respectively, P=.005), compared to patients who were diagnosed during follow-up. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that HBV infection was the leading etiology and a moderate-to-advanced disease was evident in more than half of patients at the time of diagnosis. HCC patients diagnosed at follow-up had smaller tumor size and earlier BCLC stage.This study was supported by Bayer Turk. We thank Cagla Ayhan, MD and Sule Oktay, MD, PhD, from KAPPA Consultancy Training Research Ltd., Istanbul, who provided editorial support funded by Bayer Turk.Bayer Tur

Reticulated platelet levels in patients with ulcerative colitis

Background In this study, we investigated whether reticulated platelets (RP) would be useful markers in the evaluation of ulcerative colitis (UC) activity and also aimed to gain indirect information about the platelet kinetics

Etiological role of brucellosis in autoimmune hepatitis

To show that brucellosis may trigger autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), in addition to nonspecific liver involvement and toxic hepatitis, due to a class effect of tetracycline family used for treatment. We present a female patient admitted to our hospital due to partially improved fatigue and elevated liver enzymes following doxycycline and streptomycin usage for brucellosis. Brucellosis is endemic in our country, Turkey. It may involve any organ in the body. Liver is frequently involved. Doxycycline used for treatment occasionally may lead to hepatotoxicity. AIH is a necroinflammatory disease of the liver. Certain drugs (e.g. minocycline), toxins, and viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, EBV, etc.) can trigger AIH. Only one case of AIH probably caused by doxycycline and brucellosis was reported. We discuss the relationship between brucellosis, AIH, and hepatotoxicity of doxycycline. Brucellosis may trigger AIH. (C) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Relationship between retinopathy and cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate ophthalmic disorders with special attention to retinopathy in cirrhotic patients. Vitamin A deficiency-related ophthalmopathy, xerophthalmia, and color blindness may be documented in cirrhosis due to various etiologies. Retinopathy is an obscure feature of cirrhosis

The last innovation in achalasia treatment; per-oral endoscopic myotomy

WOS: 000355104900005PubMed ID: 26006194Background/Aims: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment option for patients with achalasia and has been performed since 2010. It is less invasive than Heller myotomy and its use is spreading rapidly worldwide. We present our results of POEM that, to the best of our knowledge, are the first cases in Turkey. Materials and Methods: We enrolled patients between May 2014 and September 2014; 8 patients with achalasia whose complaints recurred after pneumatic balloon dilatation underwent POEM. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia at the endoscopy unit of the gastroenterology clinic. Demographic data was recorded before the procedure, and the results of the procedure were recorded prospectively. Results: The median age of the patients was 42.5 (30-72) years. Preoperative and postoperative median Eckardt scores were 10 (8-12) and 1 (0-2), respectively. The median total duration of the procedure was 101 (71-158) min, and the median myotomy length was 13.5 (10-16) cm. Postoperative oral intake started on median day 1 (1-2) and the length of hospital stay was 4 (3-6) days. In 2 patients, capnoperitoneum developed during the procedure and was treated with a Veress needle. Conclusion: POEM is a safe endoscopic treatment modality for patients with achalasia in centers that are experienced in advanced endoscopic techniques

Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Achalasia: Experience From a Tertiary Reference Center in Turkey

WOS: 00020993160008