-
Cureus Apr 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National screening guidelines have been implemented to identify and remove... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National screening guidelines have been implemented to identify and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Routine CRC screening is advised for people with average risk starting at age 45 because it is a common and preventable malignancy. Various screening modalities are currently in use, ranging from stool-based tests (fecal occult blood test (FOBT), fecal immunochemical test (FIT), and FIT-DNA test), radiologic tests (computed tomographic colonography (CTC), double contrast barium enema), and visual endoscopic examinations (flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS), colonoscopy, and colon capsule endoscopy (CCE)) with their varying sensitivity and specificity. Biomarkers also play a vital role in assessing the recurrence of CRC. This review offers a summary of the current screening options, including biomarkers available to detect CRC, highlighting the benefits and challenges encompassing each screening modality.
PubMed: 37193451
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37509 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2021We have presented a case of barium appendicitis, which is a rare complication of barium enema studies. Barium sulfate is used widely for gastrointestinal radiographic...
We have presented a case of barium appendicitis, which is a rare complication of barium enema studies. Barium sulfate is used widely for gastrointestinal radiographic studies and is associated with few complications. Clinicians need to be fully aware of this complication.
PubMed: 34322273
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.4583 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Apr 2024Colonic diverticula develop at specific weak spots, where the vasa recta enter the colonic circular smooth muscle layer.1 They are usually seen in the left colon. Their...
Colonic diverticula develop at specific weak spots, where the vasa recta enter the colonic circular smooth muscle layer.1 They are usually seen in the left colon. Their most common complication is diverticulitis, with mild cases resolving even without antibiotic therapy.2 Right-side diverticulitis develops in only 1.5% of cases, primarily on the anterior aspect of the cecum, proximal to the ileocecal valve (80%).4 Given its low incidence, location, and the fact that it involves younger patients, a differential diagnosis is needed to rule out abdominal inflammatory conditions such as appendicitis or ileitis, as well as gynecological disorders. Diverticulitis is diagnosed using imaging modalities. Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice,5 and confirmation is required after clinical remission, primarily using colonoscopy. We studied a series of 3 cases of patients initially diagnosed with acute, uncomplicated right-side diverticulitis who were admitted to the Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de León, from January to December 2023. Our goal was to confirm a presumptive diagnosis of right-side diverticulitis using delayed endoscopy or barium enema to ascertain the presence of right-side diverticulosis and rule out other conditions manifesting with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. Cases 1 and 3 were admitted with an accurate diagnosis of right-side diverticulitis. Case 1 was confirmed by ambulatory colonoscopy, and case 3 was confirmed by barium enema because of a history of previous colonoscopy without findings. All three patients required surgical assessment to rule out appendicular involvement. The imaging technique of choice was CT, using the WSES scale for severity grading. Case 2 was diagnosed with right-side diverticulitis by means of ultrasonography, and its origin was later confirmed to be in the sigmoid colon. The remaining clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic characteristics are listed in Table 1.
PubMed: 38685897
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2024.10418/2024 -
Gastroenterology Research Dec 2022Gastrocolic (GC) fistula, a rare gastrointestinal pathological condition, is defined as an abnormal connection between the stomach and the colon. Mostly, it involves the... (Review)
Review
Gastrocolic (GC) fistula, a rare gastrointestinal pathological condition, is defined as an abnormal connection between the stomach and the colon. Mostly, it involves the greater curvature of the stomach and the transverse part of the colon. Its precise incidence rate is unknown and largely differs between western and eastern nations. Etiological causes differ as well between the two worlds. Although several precipitating diseases are reported, nowadays, the most common causes are malignant diseases of the stomach (eastern countries) and colon (western world). Patients with GC fistulas usually present late and complain mainly of vomiting, diarrhea, and severe weight loss. This in turn leads to malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and electrolyte disturbances. Being a rare condition, and usually forgotten, diagnosis is usually challenging to the treating physicians. Workup usually involves a combination of radiological and endoscopic tests. Long-term survival is unknown, and patients usually have poor prognosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the relevant articles in the English literature for this abnormal medical condition, with emphasis on the different etiologies, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management, in order to increase physicians' awareness of such uncommon medical problem.
PubMed: 36660466
DOI: 10.14740/gr1576 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022In recent years, due to the development of standardized diagnostic protocols associated with an improvement in the associated technology, the diagnosis of pelvic... (Review)
Review
In recent years, due to the development of standardized diagnostic protocols associated with an improvement in the associated technology, the diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis using imaging is becoming a reality. In particular, transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance are today the two imaging techniques that can accurately identify the majority of the phenotypes of endometriosis. This review focuses not only on these most common imaging modalities but also on some additional radiological techniques that were proposed for rectosigmoid colon endometriosis, such as double-contrast barium enema, rectal endoscopic ultrasonography, multidetector computed tomography enema, computed tomography colonography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography with 16α-[18F]fluoro-17β-estradiol.
PubMed: 36552967
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12122960 -
Journal of Medical Ultrasonics (2001) Jul 2023The standard diagnostic modalities for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have long been endoscopy and barium enema. Recently, trans-sectional imaging modalities, such as... (Review)
Review
The standard diagnostic modalities for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have long been endoscopy and barium enema. Recently, trans-sectional imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have become increasingly utilized in daily practice. In transabdominal ultrasonography (US), the bowel sometimes interferes with the observation of abdominal organs. Additionally, the thin intestinal walls and internal gas can make structures difficult to identify. However, under optimal US equipment settings, with identification of the sonoanatomy and knowledge of the US findings of GI diseases, US can be used effectively to diagnose GI disorders. Thus, the efficacy of GIUS has been gradually recognized, and GIUS guidelines have been published by the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Following a systematic scanning method according to the sonoanatomy and precisely estimating the layered wall structures by employing color Doppler make diagnosing disease and evaluating the degree of inflammation possible. This review describes current GIUS practices from an equipment perspective, a procedure for systematic scanning, typical findings of the normal GI tract, and 10 diagnostic items in an attempt to help medical practitioners effectively perform GIUS and promote the use of GIUS globally.
Topics: Humans; Ultrasonography; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36087155
DOI: 10.1007/s10396-022-01236-0 -
International Journal of Women's Health 2020Endometriosis is a chronic condition primarily affecting young women of reproductive age. Although some women with bowel endometriosis may be asymptomatic patients... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a chronic condition primarily affecting young women of reproductive age. Although some women with bowel endometriosis may be asymptomatic patients typically report a myriad of symptoms such as alteration in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhoea) dyschezia, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia in addition to infertility. To date, there are no clear guidelines on the evaluation of patients with suspected bowel endometriosis. Several techniques have been proposed including transvaginal and/or transrectal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and double-contrast barium enema. These different imaging modalities provide greater information regarding presence, location and extent of endometriosis ensuring patients are adequately informed whilst also optimizing preoperative planning. In cases where surgical management is indicated, surgery should be performed by experienced surgeons, in centres with access to multidisciplinary care. Treatment should be tailored according to patient symptoms and wishes with a view to excising as much disease as possible, whilst at the same time preserving organ function. In this review article current perspectives on diagnosis and management of bowel endometriosis are discussed.
PubMed: 32099483
DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S190326