A Curious Case of Vanishing Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Spontaneous regression of HCC is rare with few documented cases in literature. The mechanism of this phenomenon is unknown, but tumor hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response have been suggested as possible etiologies.

Contrasting Strategies in Bouveret's Syndrome: A Series of Two Cases.

Bouveret's syndrome is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, characterized by gastric outlet obstruction caused by a migrated gallstone. Diagnosis of Bouveret's syndrome necessitates urgent treatment as it carries a high mortality rate. The treatment of Bouveret's syndrome has traditionally been surgical.

Steatosis Rates by Liver Biopsy and Transient Elastography With Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Clinical Experience of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HCV Coinfection in a Large US Hepatitis Clinic.

Background: Steatosis contributes to liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfection. Liver biopsy (LB) is the reference standard for grading steatosis and staging fibrosis, yet recent advances in noninvasive modalities have largely supplanted LB, which may limit recognition of steatosis. We evaluated steatosis rates by LB and transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among HCV-infected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in a US clinic.

Utility of confocal laser endomicroscopy in identifying high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel endoscopic technique that has emerged as an important tool in the in-vivo visualization and detailed assessment of the mucosal layer and subcellular structures in Barrett's esophagus. Current guidelines recommend four-quadrant random biopsies for identification of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus. However, random biopsies are associated with sampling error and inconsistent histopathologic interpretation.

Morning-only polyethylene glycol is noninferior but less preferred by hospitalized patients as compared with split-dose bowel preparation.

Goals: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of morning-only polyethylene glycol (PEG) with split-dose preparation in hospitalized patients scheduled for colonoscopy.

Background: Morning-only colonoscopy preparation may improve efficiency by allowing patient preparation and colonoscopy to be performed on the same day. There are limited data comparing morning-only with split-dose preparation, and more studies are needed before morning-only preparation can be routinely recommended.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under moderate sedation and factors predicting need for anesthesiologist directed sedation: A county hospital experience.

Aim: To evaluate variables associated with failure of gastroenterologist directed moderate sedation (GDS) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and derive a predictive model for use of anesthesiologist directed sedation (ADS) in selected patients.

Methods: With institutional review board approval, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive records of all patients who underwent ERCPs between July 1, 2009 to October 1, 2011 to identify patient related and procedure related factors which could predict failure of GDS. For patient related factors, we abstracted and analyzed data regarding the age, gender, ethnicity, alcohol and illicit drug use habits.