Concurrent autoimmune hepatitis and grave′s disease in Hepatitis C during pegylated Interferon α-2a and ribavirin therapy

Classical interferon-α has been shown to be associated with the development of a variety of autoimmune disorders. A 34-year-old white woman with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who was treated with pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin, developed Grave′s disease and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) at 32 and 44 weeks, respectively, following initiation of the therapy. The diagnosis of AIH was made based on the new development of anti-smooth muscle antibodies, anti-mitochondrial antibodies, and liver biopsy findings. It was confirmed by positive response to steroid challenge and was assessed according to the international AIH scoring system. Based on the previous case reports, we review the existing literature. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of multiple autoimmune disorders during interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis

Successful Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Alcohol Ablation of Sporadic Insulinoma Using Three-Dimensional Targeting (with Video)

Surgical resection is considered the standard of care in the management of symptomatic insulinoma. In this video, we describe the successful management of a symptomatic insulinoma by using linear array endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided ethanol ablation in a poor surgical candidate. EUS-guided ethanol ablation of insulinoma offers a safer, effective, and less invasive alternative to surgery

Idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis

Idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis is clinically challenging and has substantial socioeconomic consequences. Investigations are expensive and often reveal little about the cause of the disease. Little is known about the interaction between genetic, environmental, anatomical, and other factors that contribute to the disease. Data on the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of endoscopic therapies are scarce. The effect of idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis on quality of life is often underestimated. A more thorough examination of the causes of the disease and the roles of other associated risk factors is needed, as are well designed clinical studies with robust and objectively measurable outcomes. Ideally, evaluation of the causes of disease and therapy should be done only in specialised centres, should follow a protocol, and all outcomes should be formally assessed