Irritable bowel syndrome:Diagnosis and pathogenesis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastro-intestinal (GI) disorder that considerably reduces the quality of life. It further represents an economic burden on society due to the high consumption of healthcare resources and the non-productivity of IBS patients. The diagnosis of IBS is based on symptom assessment and the Rome Ⅲ criteria. A combination of the Rome Ⅲ criteria, a physical examination, blood tests, gastros-copy and colonoscopy with biopsies is believed to be necessary for diagnosis. Duodenal chromogranin A cell density is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of IBS. The pathogenesis of IBS seems to be multifactorial, with the following factors playing a central role in the pathogenesis of IBS:heritability and genetics, dietary/intestinal microbiota, low-grade inflammation, and disturbances in the neuroendocrine system (NES) of the gut. One hypothesis proposes that the cause of IBS is an altered NES, which would cause abnormal GI motility, secretions and sensation. All of these abnormalities are characteristic of IBS. Alterations in the NES could be the result of one or more of the following:genetic factors, dietary intake, intestinal flora, or lowgrade inflammation. Post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease-associated IBS (IBD-IBS) represent a considerable subset of IBS cases. Patients with PI-and IBD-IBS exhibit low-grade mucosal inflammation, as well as abnormalities in the NES of the gut.

Ischemic colitis masquerading as colonic tumor:Case report with review of literature

Ischemic colitis can mimic a carcinoma on computed tomographic (CT) imaging or endoscopic examination. A coexisting colonic carcinoma or another potentially obstructing lesion has also been described in 20% of the cases of ischemic colitis. CT scan can differentiate it from colon cancer in 75% of cases. However, colonoscopy is the preferred method for diagnosing ischemic colitis as it allows for direct visualization with tissue sampling. Varied presentations of ischemic colitis have been described as an ulcerated or submucosal mass or as a narrowed segment of colon with ulcerated mucosa on colonoscopy. Awareness and early recognition of such varied presentations of a common condition is necessary to differentiate from a colonic carcinoma, and to avoid unnecessary surgery and related complications.

Prediction and diagnosis of colorectal anastomotic leakage: A systematic review of literature

Although many studies have focused on the preoperative risk factors of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery(CAL), postoperative delay in diagnosis is common and harmful. This review provides a systematic overview of all available literature on diagnostic tools used for CAL. A systematic search of literature was undertaken using Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Webof-Science libraries. Articles were selected when a diagnostic or prediction tool for CAL was described and tested. Two reviewers separately assessed the eligibility and level of evidence of the papers. Sixty-nine articles were selected(clinical methods: 11, laboratory tests: 12, drain fluid analysis: 12, intraoperative techniques:22, radiology: 16). Clinical scoring leads to early awareness of probability of CAL and reduces delay of diagnosis. C-reactive protein measurement at postoperative day 3-4 is helpful. CAL patients are characterized by elevated cytokine levels in drain fluid in the very early postoperative phase in CAL patients. Intraoperative testing using the air leak test allows intraoperative repair of the anastomosis. Routine contrast enema is not recommended. If CAL is clinically suspected, rectal contrast-computer tomography is recommended by a few studies. In many studies a "no-test" control group was lacking, furthermore no golden standard for CAL is available. These two factors contributed to a relatively low level of evidence in the majority of the papers. This paper provides a systematic overview of literature on the available tools for diagnosing CAL. The study shows that colorectal surgery patients could benefit from some diagnostic interventions that can easily be performed in daily postoperative care.

High-sensitivity cardiac troponins in everyday clinical practice

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin(hs-cTn) assays are increasingly being used in many countries worldwide,however,a generally accepted definition of high-sen-sitivity is still pending.These assays enable cTn mea-surement with a high degree of analytical sensitivity with a low analytical imprecision at the low measuring range of cTn assays(coefficient of variation of < 10% at the 99th percentile upper reference limit).One of the most important advantages of these new assays is that they allow novel,more rapid approaches to rule in or rule out acute coronary syndromes(ACSs) than with previous cTn assay generations which are still more commonly used in practice worldwide.hs-cTn is also more sensitive for the detection of myocardial damage unrelated to acute myocardial ischemia.Therefore,the increase in early diagnostic sensitivity of hs-cTn assays for ACS comes at the cost of a reduced ACS specificity,because more patients with other causes of acute or chronic myocardial injury without overt myocardial isch-emia are detected than with previous cTn assays.As hs-cTn assays are increasingly being adopted in clinical practice and more hs-cTn assays are being developed,this review attempts to synthesize the available clinical data to make recommendations for their everyday clini-cal routine use.

Clinical and radiological feature of lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas

A lymphoepithelial cyst(LEC)of the pancreas is a rare benign lesion.Because patients with LEC of the pancreas have a good prognosis,it is important that these lesions are accurately differentiated from other more aggressive pancreatic neoplasms for an appropriate treatment strategy.Previous studies have reported that a definitive diagnosis of LEC often cannot be obtained based solely on the findings of preoperative imaging(e.g.,Computed tomography or Magnetic resonance imaging).In this study,we reviewed four cases of pancreatic LECs to investigate the feature of LECs.We reviewed these cases with regard to symptoms,imaging findings,surgical procedures,and other clinical factors.We found that LEC was associated with unique characteristics on imaging findings.A preoperative diagnosisof LEC may be possible by comprehensively evaluating its clinical and imaging findings.

Bowel endometriosis: Colorectal surgeon's perspective in a multidisciplinary surgical team

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that presents as endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus and induces a chronic inflammatory reaction. Up to 15% of women in their reproductive period are affected by this condition. Deep endometriosis is defined as endometriosis located more than 5 mm beneath the peritoneal surface. This type of endometriosis is mostly found on the uterosacral ligaments, inside the rectovaginal septum or vagina, in the rectosigmoid area, ovarian fossa, pelvic peritoneum, ureters, and bladder, causing a distortion of the pelvic anatomy. The frequency of bowel endometriosis is unknown, but in cases of bowel infiltration, about 90% are localized on the sigmoid colon or the rectum. Colorectal involvement results in alterations of bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus, dyschezia, and, rarely, rectal bleeding.Differential diagnosis must be made in case of irritable bowel syndrome,solitary rectal ulcer syndrome,and a rectal tumor.A precise diagnosis about the presence,location,and extent of endometriosis is necessary to plan surgical treatment.Multidisciplinary laparoscopic treatment has become the standard of care.Depending on the size of the lesion and site of involvement,fullthickness disc excision or bowel resection needs to be performed by an experienced colorectal surgeon.Longterm outcomes,following bowel resection for severe endometriosis,regarding pain and recurrence rate are good with a pregnancy rate of 50%.

The general surgeon in inter-disciplinary gynaecological cancer care

Gynaecological cancers pose a significant cancer burden globally. In 2008 cancers of the cervix, uterus and ovaries accounted for 529000(4.2%), 287000(2.3%) and 225000(1.8%) cancers, respectively, and together were responsible for 486400 deaths. Inter-disciplinary gynaecological care is an emerging concept aimed at providing more effective care by integrating different disciplines into a team working together to perform the various aspects of management at one time. This model has both advantages and potential shortcomings. In advanced healthcare systems there appears to be little role for the general surgeon. However in developing world, the general surgeon has a valuable, but complementary role in inter-disciplinary gynaecological cancer care. This role depends on the available workforce and includes, but is not limited to, the establishment of a diagnosis and treatment, including the management of complications. There is however little evidence-based research to provide guidance on the general surgeon's role in inter-disciplinary gynecologic cancer care and more research is needed.

Disorders of Consciousness in China

With the development of modern international medicine, the subject of disorders of consciousness （DOCs） has begun to be raised in China's Mainland. Much progress has been made to date in several specialties related to the management of chronic DOC patients in China. In this article, we briefly review the present status of DOC studies in China, specifically concerning diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, and rehabilitation. The development of DOC- related scientific organizations and activities in China are introduced. Some weaknesses that need improvement are also noted. The current program provides a good foundation for future development.

Diagnosis and management against the complications ofhuman cystic echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis(CE)(hydatidosis,hydatid disease)is a zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus,typically affecting the liver.Hepatic cystic echinococcosis(HCE)is often asympto-matic,and symptoms occur largely when complications develop.Up to one-third of HCE can be shown their complications such as rupture of the cyst,secondary infection,and anaphylactic reaction.Clinically,patients present with pain,obstructive jaundice,cholangitis,anaphylactic reaction,and shock.Early diagnosis and treatment of complications of CE must be very important,since mortality is high when obstruction of the biliary ducts occurs,leading to ascending cholangitis and septicemia,anaphylactic shock,or even life-threatening conditions.

Research advances of Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease

Legionella is a causative agent of legionellosis or Legionnaires’disease.Infection with Legionella spp.is an important cause of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Moreover,infection with Legionella is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia in community settings,and Legionella is isolated in 40%of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases.The clinical features of legionellosis or Legionnaires’disease are not unique,which makes the diagnosis challenging.Macrolides andfluoroquinolones are the most widely used drugs in treatment.Early recognition,treatment and effective measures for prevention and control of the disease are important and required.Although there have been a lot of methods for diagnosis of Legionella infection,they were often time-consuming or complex,not suitable for clinical purposes.This review summarizes available information regarding the microbiology,taxonomy,epidemiology,pathogenesis and diagnosis of Legionnaires’disease,with an emphasis on the laboratory diagnosis of infection with Legionella spp.