Hepatology Commons^™

Cow's Milk Protein-Induced Villous Atrophy And Elevated Celiac Autoimmunity In Children With Celiac Disease On A Glutten-Free Diet: A Report Of Three Cases, Kristin Capone, Naire Sansotta, Pankaj Vohra, Stefano Guandalini

Pediatrics Research and Scholarship

Objective: To describe the serologic and histologic response of three patients with celiac disease who had persistent autoimmunity and villous atrophy despite a strict gluten-free diet, to the elimination of cow's milk protein.

All Ttg Positive Patient Do Not Have Celiac Disease, Pankaj Vohra, Kalyan Ray Parashette, Rajmohan Dharmaraj, Angela Deubel, Richardo Castillo, Jacqueline Fridge

Pediatrics Research and Scholarship

Tissue transglutaminase antibody IgA level (tTG) is an excellent screening test for celiac disease in the presence of adequate IgA levels. Most labs while screening for Celiac disease (CD) will do the IgA levels automatically. However the serological test is not a diagnostic test.

A Multicenter Comparative Trial Of A Novel Eus-Guided Core Biopsy Needle (Sharkcore, Mariam Naveed, Ali A. Siddiqui, Thomas E. Kowalski, David E. Loren, Ammara Khalid, Ayesha Soomro, Syed M. Mazhar, Joseph Yoo, Raza Hasan, Silpa Yalamanchili, Nicholas Tarangelo, Linda J. Taylor, Douglas G. Adler

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Objectives: The ability to obtain adequate tissue of solid pancreatic lesions by EUS-guided remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the performance characteristics and safety of EUS-FNA for evaluating solid pancreatic lesions using the standard 22-gauge needle versus a novel EUS biopsy needle.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of EUS-guided sampling of solid pancreatic lesions between 2009 and 2015. Patients underwent EUS-guided sampling with a 22-gauge SharkCore (SC) needle or a standard 22-gauge FNA needle. Technical success, performance characteristics of EUS-FNA, the number of needle passes required to obtain a diagnosis, diagnostic …

Practice Survey: Adherence Monitoring And Intervention In Pediatric Gastroenterology And Hepatology., Michele H. Maddux, Shawna Ricks, Julie A. Bass, James F. Daniel, Ellen Carpenter, Kimberely Radford

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Purpose: Despite significant medication nonadherence rates among youth with pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology disorders, little is known about current adherence practices in pediatric gastroenterology care. This study summarizes current practices surrounding adherence monitoring and intervention in pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatologic care in the USA.

Participants and methods: One hundred and fifty-four pediatric GI providers completed an online survey designed to examine current practices surrounding adherence monitoring and intervention, specific strategies used to monitor and treat poor adherence, and the barriers currently experienced in relation to adherence monitoring and intervention.

Results: Practices varied greatly in terms of when and how …

Interdependency Of Egf And Glp-2 Signaling In Attenuating Mucosal Atrophy In A Mouse Model Of Parenteral Nutrition, Yongjia Feng, Farok R. Demehri, Weidong Xiao, Yu-Hwai Tsai, Jennifer C. Jones, Constance D. Brindley, David W. Threadgill, Jens J. Holst, Bolette Hartmann, Terrence A. Barrett, Daniel H. Teitelbaum, Peter J. Dempsey

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a crucial treatment for patients who cannot receive enteral nutrition, is associated with mucosal atrophy, barrier dysfunction, and infectious complications. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) improve intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) responses and attenuate mucosal atrophy in several TPN models. However, it remains unclear whether these 2 factors use distinct or overlapping signaling pathways to improve IEC responses. We investigated the interaction of GLP-2 and EGF signaling in a mouse TPN model and in patients deprived of enteral nutrition.

METHODS: Adult C57BL/6J, IEC-Egfr^{knock out (KO)} and IEC-pik3r1^KO mice receiving …

Clostridium Septicum Aortitis With Synchronous Ascending Colon And Rectal Adenocarcinoma., Deepanshu Jain, Andrew C. Kistler, Patricia L. Kozuch

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) aortitis is a rare condition frequently associated with colon adenocarcinoma and carries a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, blood in the stool, fever and chills. Laboratory tests were significant for leukocytosis and microcytic anemia. Abdominal imaging revealed a right colon mass and aortitis. Colonoscopy confirmed the right colon mass and also discovered a rectal mass, both adenocarcinomas. Treatment consisted of antibiotics, aortic repair, right hemi-colectomy and later trans-anal excision of the rectal mass. Blood cultures and the aortic specimen grew C. septicum. The patient improved and …

Feasibility, Safety, And Outcomes Of A Single-Step Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Drainage Of Pancreatic Fluid Collections Without Fluoroscopy Using A Novel Electrocautery-Enhanced Lumen-Apposing, Self-Expanding Metal Stent., Joseph Yoo, Linda Yan, Raza Hasan, Sanaa Somalya, Jose Nieto, Ali A. Siddiqui

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are currently limited data available regarding the safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) using the lumen-apposing metal stent without fluoroscopic guidance. This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes and safety of EUS-guided drainage of PFC using the electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents (EC-LAMSs) without fluoroscopic guidance.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with symptomatic PFC who underwent EUS-guided drainage using EC-LAMS without fluoroscopy. All patients were followed clinically until resolution of their PFC. Technical success (successful placement of EC-LAMS), number of patients who achieved complete resolution of PFC without additional …

New Developments In The Treatment Of Primary Biliary Cholangitis - Role Of Obeticholic Acid., Manan A Jhaveri, Kris V Kowdley

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune cholestatic liver disease that predominantly affects women in early to middle age. It is typically associated with autoantibodies to mitochondrial antigens and results in immune-mediated destruction of small and medium-sized intrahepatic bile ducts leading to cholestasis, hepatic fibrosis and may progress to cirrhosis or hepatic failure and, in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical presentation and the natural history of PBC have improved over the years due to recognition of earlier widespread use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); about one-third of patients show suboptimal biochemical response to UDCA with poor prognosis. Until recently, …

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Presenting As Li-Rads 5 "Hcc", Raja K. Dhanekula, Md, Donald Mitchell, Md, John Farber, Md, Ashwin R. Sama, Md, Jesse M. Civan, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Posters

Background

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), if within Milan Criteria, is an indication for liver transplantation.

• In contrast, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is a contra-indication to liver transplantation due to high rates of recurrence.

• LI-RADS 5 classification (synonymous with OPTN-5) carries a near 100% positive predictive value for HCC, allowing prioritization of patients for liver transplantation without histological confirmation.

• The “LI-RADS M” classification indicates the presence of malignancy not meeting diagnostic criteria for HCC. In theory, IHCC lesions should be identified as LI-RADS M and not LI-RADS 5.

A Case Of Arterioportal Fistula Leading To Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension, Sheela S. Reddy, Raja K. Dhanekula, Md, Warren R. Maley, Md, Colette Shaw, Md, Jesse M. Civan, Md, David A. Sass, Md, Jonathan M. Fenkel, Md, Susan Shamini Noori, Md, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Posters

Background

• Arterioportal fistula (APF) is a rare cause of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

• This is a case of a hepatic artery-portal vein fistula presenting with recurrent variceal hemorrhage and ascites in a patient with no known liver disease.

It Is Reasonable To Treat Patients With Type 1 Hepatorenal Syndrome With Midodrine And Octreotide, William Kane

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Esrailian E, Pantangco ER, Kyulo NL, Hu KQ, Runyon BA. Octreotide/midodrine therapy significantly improves renal function and 30-day survival in patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome. Dig Dis Sci. 2007;52(3):742-748. doi: 10.1007/s10620-006-9312-0

Detection Of Genetic And Epigenetic Dna Markers In Urine For The Early Detection Of Primary And Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Hie-Won Hann, Surbhi Jain, Ting-Tsung Chang, Chi-Tan Hu, Selena Lin, Wei Song, Ying-Hsiu Su

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Posters

Poster presented at American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) meeting in San Francisco California.

Objective:

Develop a urine test using a panel of select genetic and epigenetic markers for the early detection of primary and recurrent HCC.

Introduction:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver cancer is an aggressive disease and one of the fastest growing cancers by incidence in the United States. Early detection is the key for effective treatment of HCC as the 5-year survival rate is 26% in early stage HCC as compared to only 2% when found after spreading to distant organs. The current marker, …

A Rare Cause Of Obscure Occult Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Haroon Shahid, Md, Jason Korenblit, Md, Mba

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND

• Obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is defined as persistent or recurrent GI bleeding after negative evaluations with upper endoscopy and colonoscopy.
• Accounts for approximately 5% of GI bleeding.
• Obscure GI bleeding can further be classified as being overt or occult.

-Overt GI bleeding is clinically evident, with either hematemesis, hematochezia, or melena.

-Occult GI bleeding manifests as iron deficiency anemia or a positive fecal occult blood test.

• Our case demonstrates a rare cause of obscure occult GI bleeding.

Accuracy Of Melena Identification On Physical Exam In Post Graduate Training – Implications Of Level Of Training, Medical Specialty, Rectal Exam Concordance And Appropriateness Of Therapy, Richard M. Wu, Md, Mph, Eugene Han, Md, Andrew Dargan, Md, Cecilia Kelly, Md, Mitchell Conn, Md, Mba

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Melena is commonly misidentified by young resident physicians.

The magnitude of this inaccurate physical exam has not been quantified.

Precise identification of melena may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Granular Cell Tumor Of The Common Hepatic Duct As An Unusual Cause Of Jaundice In A Hepatitis C Patient: Looking Beyond The Tip Of The Iceberg!, Tripti R. Chopade, Mbbs, Colin L. Smith, Md, Warren R. Maley, Md, Ali A. Siddiqui, Md, David A. Sass, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, benign mesenchymal tumors of Schwann cell origin. Since they were originally described by Abrikossoff in 1926,most GCTs have been described in the dermis, oral area, or subcutaneous tissue of the chest and arms. Only 5%-9% of reported cases have involved the gastrointestinal tract and fewer than 1% of cases have occurred in the biliary tract.Tumors involving the bile duct are difficult to distinguish radiographically from more common etiologies of biliary stricturing, and a tissue diagnosis is difficult to obtain endoscopically. Diagnosis and treatment is most often made via surgical resection.

Albumin Administration In Patients With Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis At A Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Clinical Analysis, Padmavathi Mali, Rajan Kanth, Sudheer Muduganti

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Albumin is recommended for the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients at high risk for mortality. We assessed adherence to guidelines for administration of albumin for SBP in clinical practice at a private tertiary care hospital.

Methods

A retrospective clinical analysis of all cases of SBP diagnosed at a tertiary referral center from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2012, was performed. Patients were identified electronically and manually validated. The appropriateness of albumin administration for treatment of SBP was assessed in all patients in whom mortality risk could be established and separately for patients who did or …

Clinical Vignette: A Case Of Successful Surgical Decortication For Empyema With Trapped Lung, In A Patient With Decompensated Cirrhosis, Tripti R. Chopade, Md, She-Yan Wong, Md, David A. Sass, Md, Scott W. Cowan, Md, Jesse M. Civan, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is a difficult-to-control complication of cirrhosis. Chest tube (CT) drainage is an option for management of HH, but is associated with a high rate of secondary infection and other complications.

Listing Practices For Morbidly Obese Patients At Liver Transplant Centers In The United States, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Md, She-Yan Wong, Md, Jonathan M. Fenkel, Md, Cataldo Doria, Md, Phd, David A. Sass, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

• Obesity affects more than one third of Americans.
• Morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2) has been associated with multiple co-morbidities and perioperative complications.
• The effect of morbid obesity on liver transplant outcomes has yielded mixed results.

Treatment Of Duodenal Variceal Hemorrhage With Endoscopic Band Ligation, Tripti R. Chopade, Md, Jesse M. Civan, Md, Jonathan M. Fenkel, Md, Ali A. Siddiqui, Md, Ashish R. Gandhe, Md, Dina L. Halegoua-De Marzio, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

• Duodenal varices (DV) are a rare but potentially serious complication of portal hypertension and carry a high risk of massive gastrointestinal bleeding.

• This is a report of successful treatment of a massive DV hemorrhage with endoscopic band ligation.

Enteral Nutrition Support For A Sarcopenia In End-Stage Liver Disease, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Md, She-Yan Wong, Md, Flavius Guglielmo, Md, Jonathan M. Fenkel, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Introduction

• Weight loss with muscle wasting, also known as sarcopenia, commonly occurs in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD).
• A robust association between sarcopenia and mortality in cirrhotic and post-liver transplant patients has been reported.
• This is a report of a patient with severe sarcopenia and ESLD who was provided enteral nutrition using a Dobhoff tube (DHT) pre-liver transplant resulting in successful bridging to transplant.

Analysis Of The Role Of Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 In Normal Liver Physiology And In The Onset And Progression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Chadia L. Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

First identified over a decade ago, Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) has been studied extensively due to early reports of its overexpression in various cancer cell lines. Research groups all over the globe including our own have since identified AEG-1 overexpression in cancers of diverse lineages including cancers of the liver, colon, skin, prostate, breast, lung, esophagus, neurons and neuronal glia as compared to matched normal tissue. A comprehensive and convincing body of data currently points to AEG-1 as an essential component, critical to the progression and perhaps onset of cancer. AEG-1 is a potent activator of multiple pro-tumorigenic signal transduction …

Efficacy And Safety Of Infliximab In Older Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients, Christina Cress Lindenmeyer, Md, Stephanie M. Moleski, Md, Maureen P. Whitsett, Med., Patricia L. Kozuch, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background:

The limited data regarding treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies in older patients suggest equal efficacy but higher morbidity and mortality compared to younger patients. This retrospective case control study aims to clarify the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) in older IBD patients.

A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Comparison Of A Novel Signal Transmission Capsule Endoscope To An Existing Capsule Endoscope., Eric H Choi, Klaus Mergener, Carol Semrad, Laurel Fisher, David R Cave, Milan Dodig, Carol Burke, Jonathan A Leighton, David Kastenberg, Peter Simpson, James Sul, Kanishka Bhattacharya, Roger Charles, Lauren Gerson, Luke Weber, Glenn Eisen, Warren Reidel, John J Vargo, Jamile Wakim-Fleming, Simon K Lo

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: MiroCam, a capsule endoscope, uses a novel transmission technology, electric-field propagation, which uses the human body as a conduction medium for data transmission.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ability of the MiroCam (MC) and PillCam (PC) to identify sources of obscure GI bleeding (OGIB).

DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, comparative study.

SETTING: Six academic hospitals.

PATIENTS: A total of 105 patients with OGIB.

INTERVENTION: Patients ingested both the MC and PC capsules sequentially in a randomized fashion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Concordance of rates in identifying a source of OGIB, operational times, and rates of complete small-bowel examination.

RESULTS: Data analysis resulted in …

Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Native South Asian Pakistani Population; Trends, Clinico-Pathological Characteristics & Differences In Viral Marker Negative & Viral-Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Amna Subhan Butt1, Saeed Hamid, Ashfaq Ahmad Wadalawala, Mariam Ghufran, Ammar Asrar Javed, Omer Farooq, Bilal Ahmed, Tanveer Ul Haq, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

HCC is the fifth most common cancer globally. Our study was conducted to (1)investigate the trends and clinico-pathological characteristics of Hepatocellular carcinoma among native South Asian patients in Pakistan, (2)to estimate the prevalence as well as the trends of viral marker negative HCC and (3) to compare the clinico-pathological, radiological characteristics, applicability of treatment at diagnosis and prognostic factors among patients with both viral marker negative and viral marker positive-HCC being consulted at Aga Khan University Hospital(AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan.

Method

Patients ≥18 years, already diagnosed to have HCC and visiting AKUH during 1999–2009 were identified using ICD code 1550. …

A Multicenter, Prospective Study Of A New Fully Covered Expandable Metal Biliary Stent For The Palliative Treatment Of Malignant Bile Duct Obstruction., Bret T Petersen, Michel Kahaleh, Richard A Kozarek, David E. Loren, Kapil Gupta, Thomas E. Kowalski, Martin Freeman, Yang K Chen, Malcolm S Branch, Steven Edmundowicz, Michael Gluck, Kenneth Binmoeller, Todd H Baron, Raj J Shah, Timothy Kinney, William Ross, Paul Jowell, David Carr-Locke

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Study Aims. Endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) is indicated for palliation of inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. A fully covered biliary SEMS (WallFlex Biliary RX Boston Scientific, Natick, USA) was assessed for palliation of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction. Patients and Methods. 58 patients were included in this prospective, multicenter series conducted under an FDA-approved IDE. Main outcome measurements included (1) absence of stent occlusion within six months or until death, whichever occurred first and (2) technical success, need for reintervention, bilirubin levels, stent patency, time to stent occlusion, and adverse events. Results. Technical success was achieved in …

The Association Between Acrochorda (Skin Tags), Metabolic Syndrome, And Adenomatous Polyps, Brendan O'Hare, Md, Anastasia Shnitser, Md, Jason Korenblit, Md, Mba, Ali Siddiqui, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND

Acrochorda (skin tags) are benign skin tumors that form primarily at skin creases, generally on the neck, armpit, and groin areas. There have been a small number of published studies in 1980s in patients who were found to have increased number of skin tags and colonic polyps, with a direct correlation described between the two. In addition, metabolic syndrome has been linked to adenomatous polyps, but a link between skin tags and metabolic syndrome has not been established.

Limited Sampling Estimates Of Epigallocatechin Gallate Exposures In Cirrhotic And Noncirrhotic Patients With Hepatitis C After Single Oral Doses Of Green Tea Extract., Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Walter K. Kraft, Constantine Daskalakis, Xie Ying, Roy L Hawke, Victor J. Navarro

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has antiangiogenic, antioxidant, and antifibrotic properties that may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of cirrhosis induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, cirrhosis might affect EGCG disposition and augment its reported dose-dependent hepatotoxic potential.

OBJECTIVE: The safety, tolerability, and disposition of a single oral dose of EGCG in cirrhotic patients with HCV were examined in an exploratory fashion.

METHODS: Eleven patients with hepatitis C and detectable viremia were enrolled. Four had Child-Pugh (CP) class A cirrhosis, 4 had Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis, and 3 were noncirrhotic. After a single oral dose of green tea extract 400 …

Development Of A Competency-Based Transplant Hepatology Fellowship, Steven K. Herrine, Andrew P. Keaveny, Ayman Abdel-Latif Koteish, Richard K. Sterling, John R. Lake

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Presented at 63rd annual meeting AASLD, The Liver Meeting, Boston MA, November 9-13, 2012.

Purpose: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) next accreditation system (NAS) provides incentive for medical educators to understand and implement competency-based medical education (CBME) training and assessment in their programs. Noting decreasing enrollees for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Transplant Hepatology (TH) exam, workforce concerns in TH, and questionnaire data from Gastroenterology (GI) fellows and Program Directors (PDs), we developed an ABIM-approved one-year competency-based TH pilot program.

Sleep Disturbances And Hypnotic Medication Use In Relation To Risk Of Barrett’S Esophagus And Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Anastasia Shnitser, Md, Abhik Roy, Md, Sidney Cohen, Md, Anthony J. Dimarino, Md

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) has increased more rapidly than any other cancer (with the exception of malignant melanoma) in the United States over the past 30 years. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the strongest risk factor for the development of Barrett’s esophagus, which in turn leads to the rise of most EA’s. In a large portion of persons with sleep disorders, perhaps as high as 30%, GERD is a major causal or contributing factor. It has been proposed that the use of hypnotics for the treatment of sleep disorders may exacerbate the damaging effects of refluxate on …

Predictive Value Of Alpha-Fetoprotein In The Long-Term Risk Of Developing Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Patients With Hepatitis B Virus Infection--Results From A Clinic-Based Longitudinal Cohort., Hie-Won Hann, Xiaoying Fu, Ronald E. Myers, Richard Hann, Shaogui Wan, Su Hee Kim, Natalie Au, Jinliang Xing, Hushan Yang

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Although serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has long been used to complement imaging tests in the screening and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whether it can be used as a predictive marker of long-term risk for developing HCC in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not been extensively evaluated and thus remains controversial.

METHODS: We retrospectively conducted a clinic-based longitudinal cohort study including 617 Korean American patients with HBV who had been followed for up to 22 years (median follow-up time, 6.2 years) to evaluate the association between baseline serum AFP level and the long-term risk of HCC. …