Congenital Portal Vein Aneurysm Associated with Peliosis Hepatis and Intestinal Lymphangiectasia

Portal vein aneurisym (PVA), peliosis hepatis (PH) and intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) all are very uncommon entities. Herein, we presented a unique patient with these three rare entities who was admitted to our hospital because of portal hypertensive ascites rich in protein and lymphocyte. PVA was extrahepatic and associated with coronary vein aneurysm. Peliosis hepatis was of microscopic form. Lymphangiectasia was present in peritoneum and small intestine. Diagnoses of these rare entities were made by imaging techniques and histopathological findings. Patient also had hydronephrosis caused by ureteropelvic junction narrowing. Best of our knowledge, there is no such a case reported previously with the association of PVA, PH and IL. Therefore, we propose PVAPHIL syndrome to define this novel association

The Etiological Factors of Duodenal and Gastric Ulcers

Background/aims: We aimed to determine the etiology of patients with duodenal and gastric ulcers. Methods: 140 patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer between April 2002-2009 were enrolled in this prospective study. Two biopsy specimens were collected from the antrum and corpus for histology and one for rapid urease testing, and stool samples were analyzed for Helicobacter pylori antigen. Serum calcium and gastrin levels were also analyzed. Results: 82 (58%) patients were male, with a median age of 47.70 +/- 15.03 years (range: 16-92). The ulcer was located in the duodenum in 96 patients, stomach in 40, and both duodenum and stomach in 4. The rates of patients positive for Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool, positive in urease testing and positive for Helicobacter pylori presence in antral and corpus samples were 48%, 52%, 67%, and 60%, respectively. 107 (76%) patients were positive for Helicobacter pylori in one of the test methods. 64 (46%) patients had a history of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use within the last month. Mean levels of calcium and gastrin were 9.29 +/- 0.40 (7.90-10.20) and 73.96 +/- 89.88 (12.86-562.50), respectively. Gastrin level was correlated to inflammatory activity (p<0.05). 19 (13.6%) of the patients were negative for Helicobacter pylori, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and hypersecretory illness, and were classified as idiopathic. Conclusions: The most common cause of duodenal and gastric ulcer was Helicobacter pylori, and it was responsible for three-fourths of the cases. About half of the patients had a history of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and Helicobacter pylori were both responsible for the ulcer in three-fourths of these patients. In about one-tenth of the patients, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use was the cause of ulcer alone, and about one-tenth of the ulcers were classified as idiopathic

An observational European study on clinical outcomes associated with current management strategies for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ENERGIB-Turkey)

Background/aims: This observational, retrospective cohort study assessed outcomes of the current management strategies for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in several European countries (Belgium, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey) (NCT00797641; ENERGIB). Materials and Methods: Turkey contributed 23 sites to this study. Adult patients (>= 18 years old) consecutively admitted to hospital and who underwent endoscopy for overt non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (hematenzesis, melena or hematochezia, with other clinical/laboratory evidence of acute upper GI blood loss) were included in the study. Data were collected from patient medical records regarding bleeding continuation, re-bleeding, pharmacological treatment, surgery, and mortality during a 30-day follow-up period. Results: A total of 423 patients (67.4% men; mean age: 57.8 +/- 18.9 years) were enrolled in the Turkish study centers, of whom 96.2% were admitted to hospital with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. At admission, the most common symptom was melena (76.1%); 28.6% of patients were taking aspirin, 19.9% were on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 7.3% were on proton pump inhibitors. The most common diagnoses were duodenal (45.2%) and gastric (27.7%) ulcers and gastritis/gastric erosions (26.2%). Patients were most often managed in general medical wards (45.4%). A gastrointestinal team was in charge of treatment in 64.8% of cases. Therapeutic procedures were performed in 32.4% of patients during endoscopy. After the endoscopy, most patients (94.6%) received proton pump inhibitors. Mean (SD) hospital stay was 5.36 +/- 4.91 days. The cumulative proportions of continued bleeding/re-bleeding, complications and mortality within 30 days of the non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding episode were 9.0%, 5.7% and 2.8%, respectively. In the Turkish sub-group of patients, the significant risk factors for bleeding continuation or re-bleeding were age >65 years, presentation with hematemesis or shock I syncope, and the diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. The risk of clinical complications after non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding was higher in female patients older than 65 years, in patients with comorbidities, and in patients presenting with shock/syncope, and also according to time to endoscopy. The use of aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or warfarin at baseline was negatively associated with the development of bleeding or clinical complications. The risk of death within 30 days after non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly higher in patients older than 65 years and in those receiving transfusions other than intravenous fluid or red blood cells within 12 hours of presentation. Conclusions: According to the survey results, non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Turkey varies from that in other European countries in a number of aspects. These differences could be associated with a younger population and Helicobacter pylori incidence. Despite the diminishing need for surgical intervention and mortality rates for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, as is the case in other European countries, non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a serious problem

Is It Barrett's Esophagus or Gastric Heterotopia

Columnar epithelium in the distal part of the esophagus is generally related to Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a well-known premalignant lesion for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Therefore, its diagnosis and surveillance are important. Columnar epithelium in the esophagus other than Barrett's esophagus can be gastric heterotopia, which generally takes place in the upper part of the esophagus and is named inlet patch. The presence of gastric metaplasia in the distal part of the esophagus is rare and can cause misdiagnosis. Therefore, its differentiation from Barrett's esophagus is important. Here we present a case of gastric heterotopia located in the distal part of the esophagus that caused reflux-like symptoms and needed differentiation from Barrett's esophagus

Prevalence and demographic determinants of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the Turkish general population: A population-based cross-sectional study

Background/aims: We aimed to establish the prevalence and demographic determinants of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Turkish general population using the Turkish version of the gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire. Material and Methods: A total of 8143 volunteers (mean age: 38.5 (13.3) years; 52.3% males) were included in this cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted via face-to-face administration of the questionnaire forms including items on sociodemographic features, past history of gastric disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, the influence of reflux symptoms on patients' lives, physician visits, diagnostic tests, and reflux medications. Results: A past history of gastric symptoms was reported in half of the population. More female participants (p<0.001) had a past history of gastric symptoms that yielded a previous diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in 19.1% of the population. The likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease was low in the majority (75.3%) of the subjects evaluated. Gastroesophageal reflux disease with an inconveniencing or disrupting impact on the patient's life was present in 17.9% and 6.8% of the population. Total gastroesophageal reflux disease-questionnaire scores and reflux prevalence were higher in older age groups (p<0.001). Females were more likely to have gastroesophageal reflux disease prevalence based on reflux symptoms. The impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on sleep and psychological I emotional well-being was more pronounced in older and female patients, whereas the impact on eating/drinking behaviors and physical-social activities was more marked among females independent of their age (p<0.001). Reflux prevalence was higher in subjects from East Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Mediterranean, and Black Sea regions of Turkey (p<0.001 for each). Conclusions: Prevalence and demographic determinants of gastroesophageal reflux disease are compatible with the profile of the disease in the other Western populations, with a predilection for females and older individuals

Diagnostic Capability of Capsule Endoscopy in Small Bowel Diseases

Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a recently developed noninvasive technique for imaging of small bowel pathologies. It is a swallowable wireless mini-camera for getting images of the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. General indications of CE are obscure bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, Crohn disease, abdominal pain, polyposis coli, celiac disease and small bowel tumors. Obstruction must be excluded with small bowel radiography before using CE. Bowel preparation can be recommended for good visualization. The main indication is obscure GI bleeding. Even though useful for the other indications in selected cases, large polypoid lesions may be missed. Diagnostic capability of CE and double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) are similar and CE is a good complemantary method for DBE