Digestive System Diseases Commons^™

Psychological Adaptation In Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Pilot Study Findings, Anuja L. Sarode, Emily M. Su, Amber Kerstetter-Fogle, Steve Paciorek, Erica L. Laipply

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

In this pilot study, we examined psychological impacts of colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on cancer-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD) symptoms, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and their relationship with coping strategies in surgically treated CRC patients.

Methods

This prospective pre- and postoperative pilot study assessed CRC patients at 2 time points, pre- and postoperative. Psychological symptoms were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5) and the PTG Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) instrument. Changes in CR-PTSD, PTG, and coping …

Coping Beyond Cancer: Exploring Fear Of Recurrence In Colorectal Cancer Survivors—A Pilot Investigation, Emily M. Su, Steve Paciorek, Erica L. Laipply, Anuja L. Sarode

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Evidence is limited on the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the US, especially regarding patterns and trends of post-recovery coping mechanisms. This pilot mixed-methods study quantified FCR, examined its associations with Brief COPE domains, and contextualized coping through qualitative analysis.

Methods

Twenty-three patients who successfully underwent CRC surgery were included in this pilot study. Fear of cancer recurrence was measured using the FCR Inventory (FCRI) Short Form, and coping strategies were assessed with the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) survey. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, FCR, and COPE scores. Spearman correlation …

Locoregional Therapy Pressure-Enabled Drug Delivery For Liver Cancers, Thomas Eggleston, Bassem Fayek, Jacqueline Kowalke, Mina Makary

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Hepatic malignancies account for a substantial portion of global cancer mortality, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC), and metastatic liver disease representing the most common diagnoses. While surgical resection and liver transplantation remain curative options for eligible patients, most patients are diagnosed at stages unsuitable for surgery. This has shifted medical management towards locoregional therapies (LRTs) which are often catheter-directed. Of these interventions, the use of conventional end-hole catheters for therapeutic infusion has been a mainstay of treatment, but this method is constrained by retrograde particle escape and elevated tumoral interstitial fluid pressure. Together, these factors limit drug penetration …

Biotic Therapies For Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Current Interventions, Gina Wodarczyk, Maria Winte, Diana Mastellone, Termen Singh, Joshua Desipio, Sangita Phadtare

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits without measurable disease processes. Recent research emphasizes the gut-brain-microbiome (GBM) axis and explores how microbiota influence gastrointestinal and central nervous system functions. Here, we first discuss a brief overview of various treatment approaches for IBS, focusing on interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics that target the GBM axis in adults with IBS. Relevant trials discussed the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics.

Specific Carbohydrate Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet In Adult Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial, Albert Sheng-Yin Chen, Long Nguyen, Brianna Gray, Katherine Williams, Jenny Gurung, Lauren Canha, Jessica Mcgoldrick, Jane Hubbard, Hamed Khalili

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background and aims: This pilot randomized controlled-feeding trial compared the effect of Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Mediterranean diet (MeD) in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Seventeen adults were randomized to a 6-week SCD (n = 8) or MeD (n = 9) intervention. Primary outcome was change in partial Mayo Clinic score (pMCS).

Results: The study was discontinued early due to significant dropout (n = 9, 52.9%). There was no significant between-group differences observed for pMCS change (SCD, -0.8; MeD, -1.3; p = 0.499) or secondary outcomes. Exploratory metagenomic analysis revealed enrichment of Parasutterella excrementihominis …

Navigating Complex Esophageal Perforations: A Case-Specific Approach To Successful Outcomes, Harsimran Kalsi, Anushree Rai, Kobina Essilfie-Quaye, Neeka Akhavan, Yaseen Perbtani, Tony S. Brar

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis and effective management. While self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are a first-line treatment, persistent leaks often necessitate adjunctive endoscopic interventions. A structured, multimodal approach is critical for optimizing outcomes and avoiding surgical intervention. A 44-year-old man developed an iatrogenic esophageal perforation following surgical leiomyoma enucleation. Initial treatment with overlapping fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FC-SEMS) failed to achieve closure, necessitating endoscopic suturing for defect reinforcement. Despite suturing, persistent leakage required placement of a larger-diameter FC-SEMS, secured with an endoscopic fixation system to prevent migration. Serial imaging confirmed successful defect closure, allowing the …

Anesthetic And Perioperative Challenges Of End-Stage Liver Disease In Non-Hepatic Surgery: A Case For Score-Triggered Perioperative Protocols, Katarina Rusinak Bs, Christopher Hoffman Do, Cory Levitt Md

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) significantly increases perioperative morbidity and mortality during non-hepatic surgery. Although validated risk stratification tools, including the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, are available, their use frequently remains limited to quantifying risk without prompting standardized perioperative protocols. This case demonstrates that elevated cirrhosis-specific risk scores should function as triggers for enhanced preparation and multidisciplinary planning, following models established in other high-risk clinical contexts.

Case Report: A 43-year-old female with decompensated alcohol-related cirrhosis was scheduled for total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer, a procedure required for liver transplant eligibility. Preoperative evaluation revealed …

Non-Surgical Pneumoperitoneum Following Vaginal Intercourse: A Case Report, Jessica Gocinski, Linda Haddox

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Case Report Of Carcinosarcoma Of The Ampulla Of Vater With A Monoclonal Histologic Variant, Peter D. Park, Christopher Oxner

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Severe Gastritis Mimics Acute Coronary Syndrome With Elevated Cardiac Enzymes, Michael Rollins, Laura Preece, Micheline Tantchou

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Colo-Ovarian Fistula Presenting As Tubo-Ovarian Abscess, Jessica Harper, Michelle Mieles, Kyle Biggs

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Reducing Surgical Site Infection After Colorectal Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Review Of Process Improvement, Robin Daemmrich, Quentin Dipasquale, Deborah Klepac, Nick Mathers, Travis Holloway

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Limited English Proficiency, Acculturative Stress, And Quality Of Life Among Korean American Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B, Hee-Soon Juon, Gilbert C. Gee, Julia G. Katcher, Daniel Yang, Katherine Smith, Ann C. Klassen

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the most widespread liver diseases in the world and disproportionately affects Asian Americans, who are further impacted by the lower quality of life imposed by the infection. Limited English proficiency (LEP) and acculturative stress play an important role in the study of patients with CHB, but the interrelationships of LEP, acculturative stress, and health outcomes are not well studied in this population. This study aims to explore how acculturative stress mediates the relationship between LEP and health outcomes among Korean American patients with CHB.

METHODS: A total of 365 CHB patients completed …

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Tissue Classification From Pathology Slide Images: Detecting Phenotypes Using Computer Vision, Chloe Martin-King, Ali Nael, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Blake Calvo, Quinn Gates, Jamie Janchoi, Elisa Ornelas, Melissa Perez, Andrea Venderby, John Miklavcic, Peter Chang, Aaron Sassoon, Brian Rubio, Ghislaine Barrigan, Kenneth Grant

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Aims

Methods

Results …

Post-Traumatic Rupture Of Primary Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm (Spen) Of The Pancreas In A Male Adolescent: A Case Report, Paulo Castro, Heather Hartman, Yashasvi Shukla, Michael Moore, Dennis Drehner, Harish Lavu

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) is a rare pancreatic tumor that typically presents in adult women and is usually asymptomatic. Case presentation A 12-year-old male presented to the emergency department with worsening abdominal pain one day after suffering mild abdominal trauma during a soccer match. Physical exam showed diffuse abdominal tenderness and guarding. CT abdomen with IV contrast showed a heterogeneous, round structure adjacent to the pancreatic tail with mass effect upon the spleen. MRI abdomen revealed a “claw sign” of pancreatic tissue surrounding the structure, suggesting a an underlying pancreatic mass with capsular rupture measuring 8.3 x 8.1 …

Another Gastric Band Complication: Acute Appendicitis, Dustin Williamson, Naveed Ismail, John Weaver

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Biliary Obstruction From An Unexpected Source, Max Dinicola, Trevor Link, Derek Welch

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum Presenting As An Acute Abdomen, Madison Mcinnis, Megan Tierney, Kaysie Banton

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Cecal Volvulus In The Setting Of Situs Inversus Totalis: A Rare Case Report, Alexandra Moody, Josie Bjorklund

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Diplopia In Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Spread To The Sphenoid Sinus, Elena Salikhova-Neace, Anna Belits, Petros Keoseyan, Ethan Mccarty, Judd Jensen, Katrina Lancaster-Shorts, Emily Lampe

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Surgical Approach To Colon Resection With Colostomy Creation Influences Reversal Rates And Postoperative Outcomes: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis, Benjamin Perkins, Ena Novakovic-Bennet, Salvatore Caleb Jerris, Alyssa Kozlowski, Andrew Schlussel

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Oral N-Acetylcysteine In Hepatitis C - Induced Acute Liver Injury: A Case Report, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Shuchita Jhaveri, Renu Thomas, Kevin Garnepudi, Galvin Dhaliwal, Ahmed Ouni, Shane P. Sweeney, Julian Nguyen

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis, Alexis Lopez Cruz, Praise Ohabor, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Colonic Perforation In A Patient On Glp-1 Agonist Therapy: A Case Report, Mohammed Irfan Khan, Shuchita Jhaveri, Azad Patel, Bilal Ashraf, Ahmed Ouni, John Paek, Sivatej Sarva

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Herbal Healing Gone Wrong: Herb-Induced Hepatitis Masquerading As Autoimmune Liver Disease, Sacha Saba, Mahi Basra, Andrew Ondracek, Roxana Bodin

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Prediction Of Mortality In Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure: A Systematic Review Of Prognostic Models, Pradeep Rajbhandari, Lawrence San Jose, Mohammad Mahfouz, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Redefining Resectability In Pancreatic Cancer: A Modified Appleby And Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreatosplenectomy Procedure With Concomitant Left Lateral Sectionectomy In A Patient With Replaced Right And Left Hepatic Arteries, Monica Sciturro, Nada Belal, Jamii St. Julien

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Insidious Abdominal Pain Masked By Kratom Abuse; A Case Of Lynch Syndrome, Grant Read, Khloe Gu, Jessica Klingensmith, Ameet Patel

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Potassium Competitive Acid Blockade After Gastric Esd: Does Vonoprazan Outperform Ppis: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Shavya R. Ginnaram, Pradeep Yarra, Gnanashree Dharmarpandi, Rajat Garg, Sreekanth Chandrupatla

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum As An Initial Presentation Of Rheumatoid Arthritis & Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Julian Reoyo, Jennifer Cucalon, Milton Alexis Torres, Toni Feghali, Francia Guerrero, Joseph Pino, Shahid Sulaiman

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.