Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is often performed prior to transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to evaluate for esophageal pathologies. Based on our study, EGD is likely not needed for TEE clearance in patients with varices or prior GI bleed.

The high rates of contraindication to percutaneous ablation (PA) in medically inoperable early hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are underappreciated in practice, resulting in treatment stage migration and poorer outcomes, highlighting the limitations of PA within the current HCC treatment algorithms. Furthermore, the local tumor control rate of PA is suboptimal despite being considered a curative therapy. Our findings support the exploration of improved treatment options for inoperable early HCCs.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) can be present in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) independent from having inflammatory bowel disease or use of thiopurine therapy. NRH can mimic cirrhosis on imaging studies. Identification of NRH in PSC is important as it might be the cause of portal hypertension.

Initial steroid dose of ≥30 mg was associated with clinical remission at week 4 in outpatients. Clinical remission at week 4 and the steroid dose reduction rate at week 4 were associated with treatment discontinuation within 12 weeks. Withdrawal of corticosteroids has been become more appropriate in the last 5 years.

Sarcopenia is affecting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) outcomes and should be evaluated by measuring muscle mass (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), muscle strength, and physical performance, but DXA has drawbacks as it is expensive, not covered by a national program, and requires a technician. Other inexpensive and simple examinations are needed, such as thigh circumference (TC), calf circumference (CC), subjective global assessment, and handgrip strength, to identify sarcopenia in women IBD patients. In this study, we found that the optimal cutoff points of TC and CC were more than 50 and 31 cm, and they are very good to exclude sarcopenia in women IBD patients.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) seroprevalence is high in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to follow EBV viral load from disease onset in pediatric patients with IBD.

Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion is a safe and effective treatment for patients with incurable malignant colonic obstruction. Although SEMS insertion had a lower patency than stoma creation, especially after 1 year, the 1-year re-intervention rates were not different, and SEMS durability was sufficient in most patients.

Flow diagram of designed research and the distribution of symptoms among young adults. Both overall completion rate and diagnostic yield are approximately 80% in 479 young adults via Capsule endoscopy (CE) examination. Significant differences were found among overall completion rate/diagnostic yield and inpatient status/CE brand. Positive diagnostic yield of young adults with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) was 51.59%, and the significant risk of bleeding was 37.04%. Therefore, CE is an optimal tool for discovering lesions in young adults, and could play a role in evaluating the bleeding risk of young adults with OGIB.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan (portal phase) at the onset. Emphysema is detected in the ileal wall (b, c: Arrows) and free air is detected in the abdominal cavity (a: Arrowhead). CT scan imaging settings: (a–c) window level (WL) 60 and window width (WW) 300. (d–f) WL 0 and WW 433. By changing the imaging settings, intestinal emphysema and free air can be more easily identified.

Appendicitis in patients with gastrointestinal malrotation is a relatively rare condition. Imaging modalities, especially computed tomography scan, can assist in the accurate diagnosis of this entity. Treatment consists of appendectomy without or with a Ladd procedure.