Hepato Gastroenterol
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Hepato Gastroenterol · May 2006
Comparative StudyThe etiology and clinical characteristics of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients hospitalized for comorbid illnesses.
To determine whether there are different causes of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding and different clinical courses in patients (a) with comorbid illnesses vs. (b) patients with only severe hematochezia. ⋯ Patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding that starts after hospitalization for other comorbid illnesses have distinctive etiologies and clinical characteristics compared with ordinary patients admitted to the hospital with only bleeding. Rectal ulcer is an important but obscure cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients with significant comorbid diseases.
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Hepato Gastroenterol · May 2006
Comparative StudymRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor in esophageal mucosa biopsy specimens from patients with reflux esophagitis.
Nitric oxide (NO) production is elevated in the intestine and may contribute to intestinal injury during inflammation. However, how the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mRNA in the esophageal mucosa contribute to mucosal damage caused by reflux esophagitis remains unknown. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exerts its action on microcirculation, contributing to angiogenesis and inflammation, we examined the role of VEGF together with iNOS and eNOS on development of reflux esophagitis. ⋯ The accumulation of NO, produced by iNOS, was considered to be related to the exacerbation of reflux esophagitis. Therapeutic intervention that reduces NO production may thus be of use in preventing development of esophageal mucosal injury in patients with reflux esophagitis.
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Hepato Gastroenterol · May 2006
Aggressive endoscopic hemostasis for severe gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients to decrease mortality.
In critically ill patients, with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding achieving endoscopic hemostasis has been reported to be often difficult, with a high rebleeding rate. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of endoscopic hemoclipping for severe GI bleeding in critically ill patients. ⋯ Endoscopic hemostasis is useful in critically ill patients with the severe GI bleeding that occurs during critical care in the intensive care unit.
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Hepato Gastroenterol · May 2006
Clinical impact of 18F-FDG-PET in the suspicion of recurrent colorectal cancer based on asymptomatically elevated serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in Taiwan.
To retrospectively evaluate the impact of 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to detect recurrent colorectal cancer based on asymptomatically elevated tumor marker level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). ⋯ FDG-PET is a useful technique for detecting recurrent colorectal cancer suspected by asymptomatically elevated serum level of CEA and has an important clinical impact on the management in patients with suspected recurrent colorectal cancer.