Digestive diseases and sciences
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To evaluate intravenous proton-pump inhibitor (IV PPI) prescribing in a single academic teaching hospital. ⋯ Intravenous PPI prescribing habits in this military hospital facility are poor. A multifaceted approach including physician/pharmacist education, IV PPI ordering templates, and a consensus medical position statement from a major gastroenterological or prominent medical association may lead to more appropriate use.
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Endoscopic findings and clinicopathologic characteristics of ischemic colitis: a report of 85 cases.
Ischemic colitis is the most common type of intestinal ischemia and has a clinical spectrum of injury that ranges from mild and transient ischemia to acute fulminant colitis. The aim of this study was to explore endoscopic findings and clinicopathologic characteristics of ischemic colitis and be accurate enough to avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of endoscopy findings and clinicopathologic characteristics of 85 cases of ischemic colitis from March 2005 to April 2008 in the endoscopy center of our hospital. ⋯ The mucosa of gangrenous colitis with cyanotic and pseudopolyps was endoscopically observed as well. Clinicopathologic characteristics showed mucosal inflammation accompanied by erosion, granulation tissue hyperplasia and gland atrophy, lamina propria hemorrhage, and macrophages with hemosiderin pigmentation in submucosa in particular. Although endoscopy findings and clinicopathologic characteristics of ischemic colitis are nonspecific, colonoscopy with biopsy plays a vital role in the early diagnosis of ischemic colitis.