Acute liver failure (ALF), also referred as “fulminant hepatic failure,” is a rare syndrome characterized by rapid onset of severe hepatic dysfunction in the absence of preexistent liver disease. The…
Often regarded as the gold standard for fibrosis assessment, liver biopsy does carry associated risks given its invasive nature. Moreover, liver biopsy is not a true gold standard owing to…
Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide epidemic affecting up to 3% of the world’s population. Approximately 80% of people infected with HCV will go on to develop…
The ultimate goal of treating a chronic infectious disease is the eradication of the infectious agent to prevent organ damage or death. The natural history of untreated chronic hepatitis B…
David A. Sass, MD, AGAF, Guest Editor It is my distinct privilege to be the guest editor of the September 2011 issue of Gastroenterology Clinics of North America entitled, “Hepatology…
A subset of patients with chronic constipation, up to 50% at tertiary centers, have difficult defecation, which can be suspected by clinical features and confirmed by anorectal tests. Symptoms of…
Esophageal motility disorders may be an explanation of dysphagia in patients after exclusion of esophageal structural lesions by endoscopy and radiography and eosinophilic esophagitis by histology. The best defined motility…
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is today a significant indication for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in both adults and children. CIPO refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by symptoms…
The population of the Western world is abundantly exposed to food. Together with the introduction of fast food, this situation has contributed to an exponential increase in morbid obesity. Similarly,…
Functional gastrointestinal disorders range from highly prevalent, but generally benign conditions, eg, functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, to rare and potentially life-threatening diseases, eg, intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndromes. The term…
