Long-term Outcomes of Splanchnic Venous Thrombosis in Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT) involving veins in the vicinity of the pancreas is a significant complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). The natural history of SVT especially the rates of recanalization is poorly understood.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the natural history of SVT in AP, with a focus on recanalization rates and identifying predictors of non-recanalization.

Outcomes of acute pancreatitis in elderly are comparable to those in adults in India: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Background And Objectives: The ageing population is increasing in India and there is hardly any information on outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the elderly in India. Hence we studied the comprehensive clinical characteristics and outcomes of AP in elderly patients.

Methods: This study included patients admitted with AP to a tertiary care centre from October 2018 to October 2022.

The effectiveness of a conservative approach in the management of groove pancreatitis.

Background: Groove pancreatitis (GP) is a form of pancreatitis that affects the pancreaticoduodenal groove area, which lies between the head of the pancreas, the second part of the duodenum and the distal bile duct, presenting as abdominal pain and gastric outlet obstruction. In this study, we present the clinical and radiological characteristics of individuals diagnosed with groove pancreatitis at our center and discuss the use of a conservative treatment approach in managing GP.

Methods: The data of patients with groove pancreatitis treated at our center between January 2012 and December 2021 was analyzed.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Differentiates Infections from Sterile Inflammation in First Week of Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: Differentiating infections from sterile inflammation is crucial in early AP management.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the capability of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and procalcitonin to differentiate between sterile inflammation and infections in the first week of AP and to analyze the source, microbiological profile, and impact of infections in AP.

Methods: Consecutive patients presenting within 5 days of symptom onset were included.

Epidemiology of chronic and acute pancreatitis in India (EPICAP-India): protocol for a multicentre study.

Introduction: Acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP) are inflammatory conditions of the pancreas that cause local and systemic complications. The epidemiology of these conditions are not well-known in India.

Methods And Analysis: We describe the protocol and procedures of a multicentre study for delineating the epidemiology of pancreatitis in India.

Advanced Endoscopic Techniques to Detect Prevalence of Synchronous Oesophageal Cancers in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers.

Objective: To study the prevalence of synchronous oesophageal cancer in patients with head and neck cancers using Narrow Band Imaging and Lugol's chromoendoscopy.

Materials And Methods: Study design: Prospective cross sectional diagnostic study. Method: 63 recruited patients with head and neck cancers, underwent haematologic evaluation, histological confirmation, imaging which included contrast enhanced computerised tomography(CECT) of the Neck and when indicated an additional Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) scan followed by UGI endoscopy using white light followed by Narrow Band Imaging(NBI) and Lugol's chromoendoscopy(LCE).

An integrated picture of chronic pancreatitis derived by mapping variants in multiple disease genes onto pathogenic pathways.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an etiologically and genetically heterogeneous inflammatory syndrome characterised by progressive damage to the exocrine and endocrine components of the pancreas [ 1]. The multigenic paradigm of CP has sparked research in recent years [ 2]. We aimed to expand the current knowledge of genetic susceptibility of pancreatitis in patients of Indian origin.

Imbalance in the vWF - ADAMTS13 axis exists early in acute pancreatitis and predicts persistent organ failure and pancreatic necrosis-a prospective study.

Background: The pathophysiology of Acute Pancreatitis (AP) may be complicated by endothelial activation. von Willebrand Factor (vWF)- ADAMTS13 axis is a marker of endothelial activation. The study aimed to investigate the axis in AP, comparing it in patients with and without persistent organ failure (OF), with and without pancreatic necrosis, and correlating it with the standard severity scores (CRP, APACHE II, BISAP, SOFA, and qSOFA) METHODS: vWF-Antigen (vWF:Ag), vWF-Collagen-Binding-Assay (vWF:CBA), and ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:act) levels were measured within 5 days of symptom onset in consecutive patients (n = 98), who were admitted with a first episode of AP (Dec 2021-May 2023).

Bile Culture May Guide Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Bacterial Cholangitis.

Background: Bile cultures are often sent with blood cultures in patients with acute bacterial cholangitis.

Aims: To assess the yield of blood and bile cultures in patients with cholangitis and the clinical utility of bile cultures in guiding therapy.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with cholangitis, based on the Tokyo 2013/2018 guidelines were recruited retrospectively over ten years.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Early-Onset Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis.

Background: Early-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (EOICP) is a disease that affects young individuals. Data on pregnancy outcomes in EOICP are limited.

Aim: To assess the pregnancy outcomes in patients with EOICP and the effect of pregnancy on the course of EOICP.

A novel frameshift mutation in is associated with hereditary pancreatitis.

Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is a rare debilitating disease with incompletely understood etio-pathophysiology. The reduced penetrance of genes such as PRSS1 associated with hereditary pancreatitis indicates a role for novel inherited factors. We performed whole-exome sequencing of three affected members of an Indian family (Father, Son, and Daughter) with chronic pancreatitis and compared variants with those seen in the unaffected mother.

How Are Imaging Findings Associated with Exocrine Insufficiency in Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis?

 The aim is to study the association between imaging findings in chronic pancreatitis and fecal elastase 1 (FE1) in patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP).  In this retrospective study on a prospectively maintained database of patients with ICP, a radiologist blinded to clinical and laboratory findings reviewed CT and/or MRI. Findings were documented according to recommendations of the Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer, October 2018.

Comprehensive evaluation of patterns of hypoglycemia unawareness (HUA) and glycemic variability (GV) in patients with fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD): A cross-sectional study from South India.

Objectives: Hypoglycemia unawareness (HUA) in patients with FCPD is common with an unclear etiology. We evaluated the prevalence, characteristics of HUA, glycemic variability (GV), its possible association with pancreatic glucagon secretion & cardiac autonomic function in patients with FCPD.

Methods: A two-week ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) and cardiac autonomic function test was done in patients with FCPD (n = 60), and categorized into UNAWARE (n = 44) and AWARE (n = 16) groups based on the Hypoglycemia Unawareness Index (HUI) score.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Following Gastric Resectional Surgery-is Routine Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy Necessary?

The data on exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) following gastric resectional surgery is variable, ranging from 26% to as high as 100%. This study aimed to document symptomatic EPI following gastric resectional surgery and to objectively document EPI, by fecal elastase (FE) testing. This was a cross-sectional study among patients undergoing gastric resection for adenocarcinoma of the stomach, at the Upper Gastrointestinal Surgical Unit at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.

Prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B in inflammatory bowel disease - Experience from a tertiary care centre in South India.

Inflammatory bowel disease patients are at risk of hepatitis B infection. Data on this prevalence from South Asia are limited. We conducted a prospective study comprising of 76 inflammatory bowel disease patients between October 2013 and August 2014.

Assessment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic pancreatitis patients using jejunal aspirate culture and glucose hydrogen breath test.

Background: A subset of chronic pancreatitis patients respond poorly to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is considered to be one of the major reasons for this poor response. Previous studies have reported a wide range of prevalence of SIBO in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Self-expanding metal stent in esophageal perforations and anastomotic leaks.

Background And Aims: Placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for esophageal perforation and leaks. The aim of our study was to assess the role of SEMS for the management of benign esophageal diseases such as perforations and anastomotic leaks.

Methods: All patients (n = 26) who underwent SEMS placement for esophageal perforation and anastomotic leaks between May 2012 and February 2019 were included.

Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of pancreas in patients with early onset idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) may progress to chronic pancreatitis (CP). A critical step in this progression is the development of fibrosis. Elastography has been used to assess degree of fibrosis by measurement of shear wave velocity (SWV).

Epidemiology of COVID-19.

COVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2), has now spread to multiple countries including India. The pace at which the disease spread in the last 4 months, since it was first recognized from China, is unprecedented. This review of the epidemiology of COVID-19 summarizes the burden of infection, transmission dynamics, and other related epidemiological features.