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Objective: This paper aims to highlight the clinical features, investigations and treatment of retroperitoneal teratomas condition.Methods: 12 patients (8 females and 4 males, age range-2 months to 14 yrs) of retroperitoneal teratoma admitted to the department of Pediatric Surgery, King George Medical University, Lucknow between 1980 and 2004 were studied. Investigations included hematology, plain X-ray of the abdomen, intravenous urography, ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT) of the abdomen (after 1990, 8 patients) and serum alpha-fetoprotein assay (after 1991, 6 patients, preoperatively). All patients underwent surgery. Serum alpha-fetoprotein assay was used during follow-up to detect recurrence.Results: Majority of the tumors were left pararenal in location. In two patients there was bilateral involvement. In all except one, the tumor could be excised easily preserving the kidneys. In one child with a massive cystic tumor with bilateral involvement, the tumor was marsupialised in the first stage and excised subsequently. One child died postoperatively, the other 11 children are well and there has been no tumor recurrence on follow-up.Conclusions: Retroperitoneal teratomas are uncommon lesions in children mostly arising in close relation to the kidneys. The majority are benign but complete excision is necessary for cure. Even large tumors with bilateral involvement of the retroperitoneum can be excised while preserving adjacent organs. Serum alpha-fetoprotein assay is a reliable method of detecting recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of diet and its manipulation in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is gradually acquiring central stage. Certain dietary factors have been identified as putative triggers in IBD as some other factors are found to be protective. The dietary manipulation as part of comprehensive IBD care should be done by the clinician in conjunction with a skilled dietitian. Nutritional deficiencies are common in patients with IBD and can have long-term effects on disease course and quality of life in these patients. So, early identification and correction of these deficiencies along with proper nutritional supplementation should be addressed routinely as a part of IBD management. Oral nutritional supplementation is sufficient for most patients, but in some sick patients, tube feeding may be necessary. Diet needs to be individualized based on the nutritional deficiencies and dietary triggers in a specific patient. Multiple specific diets, with elimination of components that trigger inflammation or addition of components that alter gut microbes in a favorable way, are now appearing as a treatment option in IBD, but more evidence is required before their universal recommendation. Though enteral nutrition (EN) (both exclusive enteral nutrition [EEN] and partial enteral nutrition [PEN]) have proven therapeutic role in pediatric IBD, their uses and role are now expanding in adult IBD patients as well.

Background and Aim: The absence of lactase in the intestinal villi due to mucosal injury or genetic factors causes undigested lactose to reach the colon where it is fermented. Lactose intolerance is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence, lactose hydrogen breath test (HBT), and lactose tolerance test. No Indian studies are available on the use of lactase supplements. The aim was to study the effect of lactase chewable tablets on clinical symptoms and hydrogen breath excretion in patients with lactose intolerance., Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled trial to study the effect of lactase tablets on symptoms and hydrogen breath levels in adults with lactose intolerance, confirmed by Lactose HBT. Clinical symptom severity was recorded using a visual analog scale, and HBT was performed every 30 min for 180 min. As it was a crossover design, the same patients were tested with both lactase and placebo, acting as their own controls with a washout period of 1 week between visits., Results: Forty-seven patients (mean age 33.6 years; 30 males) with lactose intolerance formed the study group. Clinical symptoms, mean clinical score ( P  < 0.05), and mean hydrogen breath levels ( P  < 0.05) were improved when the patients were given lactase. Reduction in cumulative hydrogen breath level over 180 min was 55% when patients received lactase compared to placebo., Conclusions: Orally supplemented lactase enzyme significantly reduced the clinical symptoms and hydrogen breath excretion in patients with lactose intolerance., (© 2020 The Authors. JGH Open: An open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background & Aims: Probiotics can maintain ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission effectively, but little is known of their ability to induce remission. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a high-potency probiotic, VSL#3, for the treatment of mild-to-moderately active UC., Methods: Adult patients with mild-to-moderate UC were assigned randomly to groups that were given 3.6 x 10(12) CFU VSL#3 (n = 77) or placebo (n = 70), twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a 50% decrease in the Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index (UCDAI) at 6 weeks. The secondary end points included remission by 12 weeks and reduction in total individual UCDAI parameters from baseline at 12 weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed., Results: At week 6, the percentage of patients with an improvement in UCDAI score that was greater than 50% was significantly higher in the group given VSL#3 (25; 32.5%) than the group given placebo (7; 10%) (P = .001). At week 12, there were 33 patients given VSL#3 (42.9%) who achieved remission, compared with 11 patients given placebo (15.7%) (P < .001). Furthermore, significantly more patients given VSL#3 (40; 51.9%) achieved a decrease in their UCDAI that was greater than 3 points, compared with those given placebo (13; 18.6%) (P < .001). The VSL#3 group had significantly greater decreases in UCDAI scores and individual symptoms at weeks 6 and 12, compared with the placebo group., Conclusions: VSL#3 is safe and effective in achieving clinical responses and remissions in patients with mild-to-moderately active UC.

Background & Aims: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic pancreatitis (CP). We evaluated the effects of antioxidant supplementation on pain relief, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in patients with CP., Methods: In a placebo-controlled double blind trial, consecutive patients with CP were randomized to groups that were given placebo or antioxidants for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was pain relief, and secondary outcome measures were analgesic requirements, hospitalization, and markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS]) and antioxidant status (ferric-reducing ability of plasma [FRAP])., Results: Patients (age 30.5+/-10.5 years, 86 male, 35 alcoholic, and 92 with idiopathic CP) were assigned to the placebo (n=56) or antioxidant groups (n=71). After 6 months, the reduction in the number of painful days per month was significantly higher in the antioxidant group compared with the placebo group (7.4+/-6.8 vs 3.2+/-4, respectively; P< .001; 95% CI, 2.07, 6.23). The reduction in the number of analgesic tablets per month was also higher in the antioxidant group (10.5+/-11.8 vs 4.4+/-5.8 respectively; P= .001; 95% CI, 2.65, 9.65). Furthermore, 32% and 13% of patients became pain free in the antioxidant and placebo groups, respectively (P= .009). The reduction in the level of TBARS and increase in FRAP were significantly higher in the antioxidant group compared with the placebo group (TBARS: placebo 1.2+/-2.7 vs antioxidant 3.5+/-3.4 nmol/mL; P= .001; 95% CI 0.96, 3.55; FRAP: placebo -5.6+/-154.9 vs antioxidant 97.8+/-134.9 microMFe(+2) liberated, P= .001, 95% CI 44.98, 161.7)., Conclusions: Antioxidant supplementation was effective in relieving pain and reducing levels of oxidative stress in patients with CP.

Objective: To study the clinical profile of the cases of esophageal atresia (EA) and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and various factors affecting the surgical and early postoperative management and their outcome., Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of 127 cases of EA from February 2004 to May 2006 was performed. Waterston prognostic criteria were used for grading., Results: EA with TEF was the commonest type in 117 cases (92%). Associated congenital anomalies were present in 52 (41%) patients, the commonest being the cardiac anomalies, which was followed by the gastrointestinal anomalies. VACTERL was found in 6 (5%) cases. Prematurity, associated congenital anomalies, gap between esophageal ends and preoperative respiratory status were the significant factors affecting the survival (P = < 0.001). Primary extrapleural repair was the surgical approach in most of the patients. Azygos vein was preserved in 46 cases and no retropleural drainage was used in 27 cases. Staged procedures were performed in 19 cases, including 6 cases of isolated esophageal atresia. Pneumonitis and sepsis were the most common early postoperative complications (42%). Hypoxia and cardiorespiratory arrest were the most common causes of mortality (11 cases). Anastomotic leak complicated 13 cases, including 9 major and 4 minor leaks. Major leak followed by sepsis caused 7 deaths. Survival as per Waterston criteria was 100% in group A, 83% in group B and 22% in group C., Conclusion: Factors affecting the survival are major or life-threatening associated anomalies, long gap, pneumonia and sepsis at presentation or that acquired during hospitalization and major leaks. The high incidence of low birth weight, delayed diagnosis, poor referral, low-socio economic status and lack of advanced neonatological back up are important contributory factors to poor outcome.

Urethrocutaneous fistula is a common complication after hypospadias repair. If congenital, it is usually associated with other genitourinary and gastrointestinal anomalies. Isolated congenital urethral fistula is a very rare anomaly. We present a 4-year old circumcised boy with this unusual anomaly. Etiology, embryology, and management are discussed. We emphasize meticulous clinical examination for the diagnosis and to rule out other associated anomalies.

Chronic diarrhea and steatorrhea occur frequently in patients with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type I. Intestinal lymphangiectasia has been reported earlier as a cause of steatorrhea in a young girl with APS Type I. We describe 2 patients with APS Type I who were found to have intestinal lymphangiectasia, one of whom had symptomatic protein-losing enteropathy.

Hepatic calcification can be seen with various infectious and neoplastic conditions. We report a 32-year- old man who developed massive calcification in the right lobe of liver following recovery from dengue virus-associated fulminant liver failure.

Background & Aims: The cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is not known in 10%-30% of patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the cause of idiopathic RAP in a long-term follow-up study., Methods: All consecutive patients with idiopathic RAP underwent detailed evaluations and investigations to find out the cause. The pancreatitis was considered to be idiopathic when no cause could be found after standard investigations that included serum biochemistry, transabdominal ultrasonography, and computerized tomography scan of the abdomen. The detailed work-up included repeat serum biochemistry and transabdominal ultrasonography, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, duodenal bile microscopy to diagnose biliary microlithiasis, and endoscopic ultrasonography., Results: Seventy-five patients were studied from June 1995 to May 2003. Their mean age was 31.9 years and 80% were male. The mean number of attacks of acute pancreatitis was 4.82 (range, 2-10). The cause of RAP was attributed to biliary microlithiasis in only 10 (13%) of 75 patients. Two additional patients developed gallstones during the follow-up period. Thirty-five (47%) patients developed chronic pancreatitis during the follow-up period. Ten of these 35 patients with chronic pancreatitis had biliary microlithiasis; 8 of these 10 patients had undergone cholecystectomy/endoscopic sphincterotomy yet continued to have recurrent pancreatitis and developed chronic pancreatitis. Miscellaneous causes were found in 10 (13%) patients. No cause was found in the remaining 18 (24%) patients., Conclusions: Microlithiasis was not a significant cause of idiopathic RAP in our patients. About one half of the patients with RAP developed chronic pancreatitis during the follow-up period.

Unlabelled: Aim/Purpuse: To evaluate our experience of 19 patients of lymphangioma who were treated by intralesional Bleomycin., Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients of lymphangioma aged between 16 days to 11 years were managed in the department. The male-female ratio was of 2:1. Commonest sites were in the neck (58%) followed by axilla (21%). The patients were treated by intralesional bleomycin injection. Bleomycin was given at a dose not exceeding 0.5 unit/kg/dose at interval of 2 weeks. Reduction in size of the mass was noted in between 2 weeks to 16 weeks and number of injections required for each patient varied from 1 to 6. Follow up ranged from 1- 7 Year., Result: In injection group, significant reduction of mass was noted in 84% (n=l6) and 57% (n=11) of them showed complete disappearance. No serious complications were noted in any patient., Conclusion: Our experience showed that Bleomycin in aqueous solution is a good sclcrosing agent in the management of lymphangioma.

We report a 24-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man who developed short-segment esophageal strictures in the upper and mid esophagus two weeks after ingestion of aluminium phosphide tablets. They responded well to endoscopic dilatation.

A 52 yrs old male presented with multiple, painless, firm nodules over extremities, which were mimicking benign neoplastic lesion. Fine needle aspiration was performed from three such nodules which revealed chalky white aspirate. After staining the smears with H&E and Giemsa stains, smears show amorphous pink material, needle shaped crystalline structures, many macrophages and foreign body type giant cells. A diagnosis of gouty tophi was offered which was confirmed by histopathology and serum uric acid level.

Background & Aims: Organ failure is the usual cause of death in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Our objective was to study whether the extent and infection of pancreatic necrosis correlate with organ failure and mortality., Methods: All consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were prospectively studied. They underwent a detailed clinical and investigative evaluation. Pancreatic necrosis, diagnosed on a computed tomography scan, was graded as <30%, 30%-50%, and >50% necrosis and characterized as either sterile or infected. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out the association of the extent and infection of pancreatic necrosis with organ failure and mortality., Results: Of 276 patients (mean age, 41.25 years; 172 men), 104 had pancreatic necrosis: 30 had <30% necrosis, 37 had 30%-50% necrosis, and 37 had >50% necrosis; 74 had sterile necrosis, and 30 had infected necrosis. Of them, 37 (35%) patients developed organ failure. Two significant factors were associated with the development of organ failure, the extent of necrosis (<30% necrosis vs 30%-50% necrosis: P = .03; odds ratio [OR], 5.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-29.45; <30% necrosis vs >50% necrosis: P = .0004; OR, 18.86; 95% CI, 3.75-94.92) and infected pancreatic necrosis (P = .02; OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.17-9.24). The overall mortality was 22%. Infected pancreatic necrosis (P = .006; OR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.56-16.02) and Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Healthy Evaluation II score (P = .004; OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08-1.52) were 2 independent predictors of mortality., Conclusions: Extent of necrosis and infected pancreatic necrosis were associated with the development of organ failure in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Infected pancreatic necrosis was the most significant predictor of mortality.

Fatigue is an important symptom and a quality of life determinant in patients with cholestatic liver disease. The pathogenesis of fatigue is obscure, although alterations in central neurotransmission and peripheral muscle dysfunction have been incriminated. No effective treatment is available at present. The available literature on fatigue in cholestatic liver disease is reviewed.

Dubin-Johnson syndrome is neither complicated by liver cell necrosis nor associated with portal hypertension. We report a 22-year-old man who had recurrent episodes of jaundice (conjugated hyperbilirubinemia) because of Dubin-Johnson syndrome and portal hypertension secondary to portal vein thrombosis. The relationship between Dubin-Johnson syndrome and portal vein thrombosis in this case is most likely a chance occurrence.

Plummer Vinson syndrome is a constellation of postcricoid esophageal webs, iron deficiency anemia, dysphagia and koilonychia. We describe some unusual manifestations in three patients with this syndrome; these were clubbing instead of koilonychia, tortuous esophagus in addition to presence of esophageal webs, and celiac disease.

The P300 event related potential (P3ERP) latency has recently been advocated for detection of cognitive disturbances in early encephalopathy associated with chronic liver disease. The present study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of cognitive dysfunction, a marker of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE), in India, using this widely recommended test. One hundred and one patients with cirrhosis of the liver (17 females, 84 males; Age 43.3 +/- 11 years, 33 alcoholic, 49 viral induced, 19 cryptogenic) attending our tertiary care hospital were studied. P300 responses were elicited by the standard 'auditory odd ball paradigm'. A value of mean+2SD of the latency obtained in 40 age matched controls was established as a cut off to define latency prolongation in patients. The mean P3ERP latency of cirrhotics (363.6 +/- 32.1 msec) was significantly longer (p<0.05) than those of controls (347.8 +/- 24.8 msec). No difference was found in the latencies of cirrhotics with or without alcoholic aetiology of liver disease. 21 (20.8%) cirrhotics were found to have SHE i.e. latency prolongation beyond the cutoff value. A higher proportion of patients in advanced stage of liver disease had prolongation in latencies (p<0.02) compared to less severe cases. Till the time a gold standard is derived for detection of SHE, P3ERP latencies seem to be a reasonable method for detection as well as follow up of patients. Since SHE is considered as a preclinical stage of overt encephalopathy, it would be worthwhile screening cirrhotics for cognitive disturbances using P3ERP latencies and administering prompt therapeutic action.

Background: The chemical composition of common bile duct (CBD) stones may have significance with regard to the origin, clinical presentation and treatment., Objective: To study the chemical composition of CBD stones and compare different types of CBD stones., Methods: Consecutive patients with CBD stones seen over a 1-year period were studied prospectively. Their stones were analyzed for cholesterol, bilirubin and calcium contents., Results: Of 74 patients with CBD stones, 42 had associated gall bladder (GB) stones (Group 1), 14 had post-cholecystectomy CBD stones (Group 2) and 18 had CBD stones with a stoneless GB in situ (Group 3). Of the 40 patients whose CBD stones were analyzed, 34 (85%; 18/19 in Group 1, 5/6 in Group 2 and 11/15 in Group 3) had cholesterol stones; the remaining 6 patients had pigment stones., Conclusion: Most CBD stones in northern Indian patients are cholesterol stones. Even in patients with isolated CBD stones (with stoneless GB in situ), three-quarters are cholesterol stones.

A structured endoscopy training program with clear goals for proper teaching and evaluation serves to alleviate apprehensions in the minds of trainees regarding this crucial area. It also ensures that training is acquired not in isolation but in the setting of ongoing patient care, so that the emphasis is on how the procedure fits into the overall management plan for the patient. By specifying the details of the endoscopy unit set-up, the qualifications of the trainer and the number of procedures to be performed by the trainee, it is hoped that uniformity will be produced in the quality of training imparted, whether it be in a teaching or a non-teaching hospital. The end-product of such training, through the DM/MCh or the DNB stream, is a gastroenterologist who is also a certified endoscopist, capable of performing all standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A further period of focused training for 1 to 2 years is required to achieve the level of competence expected of an advanced therapeutic endoscopist. There is little room for short-term training courses in endoscopy for the basic training of an endoscopist, although such courses are useful as CME activities, for the maintenance and renewal of skills of the trained endoscopist, as well as providing him with exposure to new and evolving therapeutic techniques. Efforts at improving and standardizing the training and practice of GI endoscopy in India are likely to remain exercises in futility without the active and dynamic involvement of all the leading professional societies in the country. The need of the hour is the establishment of technical committees for laying down standards in training and practice of GI endoscopy that should be voluntarily approved by all these societies so that they may then be implemented by the State medical councils and the MCI. A move in this direction from within the profession is far more appropriate and is also likely to find greater acceptance than such moves imposed from above, at the behest of judicial authorities. A system of hospital accreditation committees for large public and private sector hospitals offering endoscopy services, supervised by the accreditation committee of the State medical council, needs to be established. Clinics and nursing homes offering these services also need to be approved by the same committee after meeting standards similar to those laid down for larger hospitals. Mechanisms for audits of performance and outcome of endoscopic procedures as well as periodic participation in CME activities for maintenance of skills and expertise need to be established and linked to periodic renewal of credentials for practising GI endoscopy. Procedures for credentialing for new endoscopic techniques need to be established. The path ahead is long and arduous but we must tread it for it will only become more difficult if we procrastinate.

The nutritional status of patients with chronic pancreatitis was assessed in 76 consecutive patients (63 males, mean age 35 ± 10 years; 13 females, mean age 40 ± 16 years) attending the pancreas clinic of a tertiary care hospital in India. A food frequency questionnaire was used to elicit information regarding dietary intake of food items. Nutrient intake was calculated using the 24 h recall method on a subsample of 20 patients. Anthropometric measurements were taken and haemoglobin and serum albumin were estimated. Thirty patients (45%) had made dietary modifications after they were diagnosed as having chronic pancreatitis. These changes in diet included a decrease in fat, spices and/or quantity of food consumed. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that the majority of patients were taking wheat, lentils, vegetables, fruits, milk, curd, sugar and oils on a daily basis. The mean energy intake was 1750 ± 375 kcal in males and 1180 ± 246 kcal in females, which turned out to be 37% lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), both in males and females. Alhough most patients (86%) were in the normal range of Body Mass Index (BMI), 67% of the patients reported weight loss after onset of the disease. Biochemical parameters studied were in the normal range: haemoglobin 12.26 ± 1.99 gm% and albumin 4.05 ± 0.89 g/100 mL. We concluded that in patients with chronic pancreatitis, malnutrition occurs mainly due to a low intake of calories and protein as a result of dietary modification for symptomatic relief and pancreatic insufficiency. However, nutritional parameters such as haemoglobin and serum albumin are fairly well maintained.

Fifty one patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) undergoing chemotherapy were studied prospectively to determine the incidence, aetiology and natural course of hepatitis. Of 51 patients (31 NHL and 20 ALL), 22 developed hepatitis. Hepatitis B (IgM anti HBc positive) was the cause in 11 patients (50%), hepatitis C in 4 patients, and septicaemia and cytotoxic drugs in 3 patients each. Malignant infiltration of the liver was the cause in the remaining 1 patient. Hepatitis was predominantly (75%) anicteric. Mean duration of hepatitis was 21 days. Of 51 patients, 21 acquired hepatitis B and/or C virus infection. They had received 6.4 (+/- 3.4) units of packed red cells and 5.3 (+/- 11) units of platelet concentrate as compared to 3.4 (+/- 4.8) units of red cells and 5.3 (+/- 12.1) units of platelet concentrate received by those who did not acquire virus infection (P < 0.05 for packed red cells). Only transient stoppage of chemotherapy was necessary following development of hepatitis and most of the patients who developed hepatitis could complete their chemotherapy schedule. None of the patients who developed viral B or C infection cleared the infection. We conclude that there was a high incidence of hepatitis B and C infection amongst patients with lymphoproliferative disorders with an increased carrier rate. Transfusion was a major risk factor for such infections.

A 31 year old female patient presented with a one and a half year history of pain in the upper abdomen. The pain was mild, constant, dull aching, and increased with change in posture or sudden movements. There was no definite relation to meals. She also had a lump in the right upper quadrant, which had been gradually increasing in size over three months. She had mild anorexia and reported a 5 kg weight loss over one year. She had no history of intake of oral contraceptive drugs, exposure to vinyl chloride, thorotrast or any other industrial toxin. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed multiple space occupying lesions of altered echotexture in both lobes of the liver. The portal venous system and hepatic vascular system were normal. Computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed the ultrasound findings. Histopathology was diagnostic for primary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma; the first such case reported from India. The patient has been put on a waiting list for a liver transplant.

Background: Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) have an increased prevalence of gallstones., Aims: To study prospectively the incidence of gallstones and gall bladder contractility in patients with SCI., Patients and Methods: Thirty six consecutive patients with SCI were studied: 18 patients with SCI above thoracic 10 neuronal segment (> T10) and 18 patients with SCI below T10 (< T10). An equal number each of disease controls (multiple fractures) and healthy controls were also studied. All patients and controls underwent serial ultrasonography to detect development of gallstones and ultrasonographic measurement of gall bladder contractility., Results: A significantly higher number (9/18) of patients with SCI > T10 developed biliary sludge compared with patients with SCI < T10 (2/18), disease controls (2/18), and healthy controls (1/18) (p < 0.05). No patient developed gallstones. The gall bladder fasting volume was significantly decreased in patients with SCI > T10 (20.56 ml; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 19.74 to 21.38) compared with that in patients with SCI < T10 (27.33 ml, 95% CI 26.17 to 28.49; p < 0.05), disease controls (27.92 ml, 95% CI 26.69 to 29.15; p < 0.05), and healthy controls (28.35 ml, 95% CI 27.25 to 29.45; p < 0.05). Gall bladder contractility was normal in patients with SCI as shown by normal gall bladder residual volume and emptying time., Conclusions: Patients with SCI above T10 have an increased incidence of biliary sludge and a decreased gall bladder fasting volume. Gall bladder contractility is, however, normal.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a dihydroxy bile acid with a rapidly expanding spectrum of usage in acute and chronic liver diseases. The various mechanisms of action of this hydrophilic bile acid include direct cytoprotection, detergent action on dysfunctional microtubules, immunomodulation and induction of hypercholeresis. Its efficacy in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis as an adjunct to medical therapy has been well established. Newer indications include its use in the management of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, post liver transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease and acute viral hepatitis, where it not only relieves symptoms of cholestasis but also arrests ongoing hepatocyte necrosis.

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is currently the most exciting new imaging technique for chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopy-assisted duodenal intubation during the secretin-cholecystokinin test reduces intubation time in difficult cases. The NBT-para-amino benzoic acid test has been refined to enhance its discriminant power. The cholesteryl-[C13]octanoate breath test and the faecal elastase test are newer highly sensitive and specific tubeless tests. Pain in chronic pancreatitis continues to be a vexing therapeutic issue. Enzyme treatment continues despite criticism. Neurotensin is the new suspected mediator of the feedback mechanism, which is downregulated by enzyme therapy. Steroid ganglion block is an exciting therapeutic tool for pain relief. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy, Dormia basketing and pancreatic stenting in conjunction with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be performed early in chronic pancreatitis to prevent parenchymal atrophy with ensuing exocrine and endocrine pancreatic dysfunction. The modified Puestow's procedure preserves endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions besides relieving pain. Closed loop insulin infusion allows superior management of pancreatic diabetes following near total pancreatectomy. The standardised incidence rate of pancreatic cancer is 16.5 in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and 100 for tropical chronic pancreatitis. Aggressive treatment protocols combining neo-adjuvant chemoradiation and intra-operative radiation with surgery are being used to improve the prognosis in this dismal complication of chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Several risk factors for the development of hepatotoxicity during short course antituberculosis therapy have been suggested. A case-control study was undertaken to assess the role of age, sex, disease extent, nutritional status, past history of liver disease, infection with hepatitis viruses, acetylator status, and high alcohol intake as risk factors in the development of hepatotoxicity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis receiving antituberculosis treatment., Methods: The cases comprised 86 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having hepatitis induced by antituberculosis drugs and who were negative for any of the hepatitis markers (HAV-IgM, HBsAg, HBc-IgM, and anti-HCV). The control group comprised 406 consecutive patients attending the chest clinic who completed antituberculosis treatment without developing hepatitis. The variables analysed were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), history of high alcohol intake, radiological extent of the disease, acetylator status, and serum proteins., Results: The cases were older and their serum albumin levels were lower than in the control group. High alcohol intake was more common among the cases, they had more extensive disease radiologically, and the proportion of slow acetylators was higher. No differences were observed between the two groups in the other risk factors analysed., Conclusions: Of the various risk factors analysed, only advanced age, hypoalbuminaemia, high alcohol intake, slow acetylator phenotype, and extensive disease were risk factors for the development of hepatotoxicity. The risk of hepatitis in the presence of one or more of these risk factors may be increased.

Antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity is quite common. However, factors predicting its development are still controversial. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of certain factors (age and sex of the patient, alcoholism, chronic liver disease, hepatitis B virus carrier status, acetylator status, nutritional status and antituberculosis treatment (ATT) regimen) in predicting the development of ATT-induced hepatitis. In a case-control study, 60 consecutive patients with evidence of ATT-induced hepatitis were studied to assess the possible association of the above-mentioned factors with ATT-induced hepatitis. Body mass index was found to be significantly lower in ATT-induced hepatitis patients (17.2 +/- 2.7) than in controls (19.5 +/- 3.3) (p < 0.05). Pyrazinamide was used in addition to isoniazid and rifampicin in a significantly higher percentage of patients in the ATT-induced hepatitis group (70%) as compared with those in the control group (42%). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to the rest of the parameters.

To date, there is no consensus on the evolution of chronic pancreatitis. Comfort's initial proposal of acute pancreatitis progressing to chronic pancreatitis was discarded by protagonists of the 'separate' theory. Sarles thus stresses the de novo evolution of chronic pancreatitis-acinar protein hypersecretion associated with an imbalance of pancreatic stone promoting and inhibiting factors. However, the 'necrosis-fibrosis sequence' hypothesis of Kloppel and Mallet resurrects the probability of acute pancreatitis leading to chronic pancreatitis. Dimagno offers a unifying concept that the degree of acinar injury determines the natural history of pancreatitis. Uninhibited release of toxic free radicals could be a common end point for various aetiologies resulting in acute or chronic pancreatitis. The pathogenesis of chronic calcifying pancreatitis of the tropics is possibly no different from alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Neurocrine and paracrine mechanisms have been offered to explain pain out of proportion to radiological and histological pancreatic abnormalities in minimal change chronic pancreatitis.

Biliary obstruction is a common and potential fatal condition. Its pathological effects include depressed immunity, impaired phagocytic activity and reduced Kupffer cell function with consequent endotoxemia, septicemia and renal failure. Over the last decade however, non-surgical biliary drainage procedures performed with radiologic or endoscopic guidance emerged as alternative to surgical of therapy in many situations, particularly palliation of malignant strictures because of their lower morbidity and mortality rates. Endoscopic stent placement is preferred over percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage in general. If endoscopic procedure is not possible or fails percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or combined radiological-endoscopic procedure should be employed. Surgery is currently reserved only for curative resection/palliative drainage in young and fit patients. Preoperative biliary drainage aimed at reducing post-operative morbidity and mortality is not universally accepted and needs further study. Benign strictures are increasingly being dilated non-surgically with temporary stenting, especially in patients with failed surgery, recurrent strictures, contraindication to surgery and pre-liver transplant strictures eg primary sclerosing cholangitis. A cohesive team consisting of a surgeon, a radiologist and an endoscopist is required to achieve the best possible results.

Common bile duct perforation causing biliary peritonitis is an unusual entity and a pancreatic calculus causing this perforation is all the more rare, and to our knowledge has not been reported previously. Such an unusual presentation of chronic calcific pancreatitis is herein reported.

A prospective case control study was conducted in 50 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and 10 age and sex matched controls to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with NUD and to correlate symptoms, histology and presence of H pylori in gastric biopsies. Endoscopic biopsies from antrum and fundus were subjected to urease test and histological examination. On histology, H pylori was identified in 27 (54%) NUD patients and in one of 10 controls. Urease test was positive in 31 (62%) antral and 21 (42%) fundal biopsies in patients with NUD and in only one (10%) of 10 antral biopsies in the control group. On histology, gastritis was present in the antrum in 46 (92%) NUD patients and in the fundus in 40 (80%) cases; of these, 27 (54%) and 15 (30%) had H pylori in antral and fundal biopsies respectively. The severity of antral gastritis correlated with the density of H pylori (p < 0.05).

A questionnaire was sent to 435 endoscopy centers in the country to obtain information regarding current endoscopic disinfection practices. Of these, 133 (30.6%) centers responded. Adequate disinfection (a minimum exposure to 1% glutaraldehyde for 2 minutes) before the start of endoscopy sessions and between procedures was practised in 61 (46%) and 45 (34%) centers respectively. The proportion of centers practising adequate disinfection was similar among those performing < 1500 and > 1500 endoscopies/year (50% vs 36%; p = ns). Twenty two (17%) centers used some additional precautions in patients with hepatitis B virus infection or immunocompromised states. Two (1.5%) of the 133 centers performing upper GI endoscopies and eight (18%) of the 44 centers performing ERCP examinations reported occurrence of infections following these procedures. Allergic reactions to disinfectants were reported by five (4%) centers. We conclude that only about a third of the gastroenterology centers in the country are practising adequate endoscope disinfection routinely.

A total of 101 normal pancreatograms were analysed in a major referral hospital in India in an attempt to establish normal standards of pancreatic ductal morphology in Indian population. Ductal position, course, caliber, length and variations of anatomy were analysed. Most often (39%) ampulla was seen at the level of second lumbar vertebra, commonly (54%) within 30-39 mm from the lateral margin of right side of corresponding vertebral body. Most common ductal course (21.78%) was ascending-horizontal-horizontal type. Mean ductal diameters in the head, body and tail of the pancreas were 2.63, 1.95, 0.99 mm in individuals aged less than or equal to 40 yr and 3.31, 2.34, 1.23 mm in those greater than 40 yr, respectively. A significant (r = 0.46; P less than 0.001) increase in ductal size was seen between less than or equal to 40 yr and after 40 yr of age. Mean ductal length was 16.10 and 16.58 cm in subjects less than or equal to 40 yr of age and greater than 40 yr respectively. Duct of Santorini was visualised in 6.6 per cent subjects.

The results of 124 pneumatic dilatations done in 92 patients with achalasia cardia were assessed. Relief of dysphagia and other symptoms was obtained in 90 (97.8%) patients--in 68 (73.9%) after one dilatation, in 16 (17.8%) after two dilatations and in six (6.5%) after three dilatations. Two patients who did not obtain relief after three sittings of dilatation underwent surgery and both became totally asymptomatic thereafter. Most of the patients successfully treated with pneumatic dilatation remained asymptomatic during a follow up of 6 months--5 years. The few who did become symptomatic (8.01%) within a year after pneumatic dilatation responded well to the same procedure when repeated. Immediate and late complications of pneumatic dilatation occurred in 3.3% and 4.35% of patients respectively and were all medically manageable. In our assessment, pneumatic dilatation is a simple, quick, safe and effective method for treating achalasia. It should be used as the primary mode of treatment and surgery should be offered only to those patients who fail to respond to at least three attempts at pneumatic dilatation.

Twenty patients with thoracic stomach were subjected to hepatobiliary scintigraphy for the diagnosis of duodenogastric reflux. The results of the radionuclide studies were correlated with those of endoscopy and biochemical estimation of total intragastric bile acid. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy was found to be more sensitive (91.6%) and accurate (95%) than endoscopy (25% and 55% respectively) and biochemical estimation of total intragastric bile acid content (66.6% and 80% respectively). Being noninvasive and physiological, radionuclide study appears suitable for routine clinical use in the diagnosis of duodeno-gastric reflux.

The article presents a list of plants mentioned in Ramayana one of the two great epics of this country which has been compiled and the probable equivalent botanical names have been fixed. This study will be useful to the botanists, palaeo - botanists, ethonobotanists, foresters, naturalists and environmentalists as well.

The mutagenicity of 24 metal salts was investigated in plate incorporation and fluctuation assays with Salmonella TA strains or Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA pKm 101. Chromate(VI) and selenate(VI) ions were found to be mutagenic in plate incorporation assays employing conventional media. On the other hand, cadmium(II), beryllium(II), chromate(VI), and metavanadate(V) ions were detected in conventional fluctuation assays, indicating the importance of this technique in detection of metal mutagens. Modified culture media, with trimetaphosphate ions in place of orthophosphate as the sole phosphate source for bacterial growth, were also used in this study. The media modifications prevented precipitation of metals such as nickel and cadmium as their insoluble phosphates, and allowed detection of the mutagenicity of metavanadate ions in plate incorporation assays. However, the fluctuation technique using standard media was shown to detect a wider range of mutagenic metal ions than tests with modified media. It is notable that metaarsenite(III), arsenate(V), and nickel(II) ions were not found to be mutagenic in any of the assays although they are known to be carcinogenic and are mutagenic in other test systems. Their lack of mutagenicity in the modified media indicates that precipitation of these ions as orthophosphates is not the reason for their lack of activity in standard bacterial assays.