Having an on-site pathologist interpret tissue samples at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can lead to immediate diagnosis, researchers report in a November 23rd online paper in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Reuters Health Information
Fibrin glue plugging proved a simple, safe and effective alternative to surgery in this HIV-infected patient with an anal fistula. BMC Gastroenterology
Alkaline phosphatase levels were reduced by nearly 25% with the new receptor agonist for regulation of bile acid synthesis, farnesoid-X, but most patients experienced pruritus. Medscape Medical News
The inclusion of serum sodium and upper and lower bounds in existing Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) variables leads to the improved predictive capacity of MELD. Medscape Medical News
A November 2011 study published in NEJM asked whether early liver transplantation can improve survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who are not responding to medical therapy. Medscape General Surgery