The association of hepatic steatosis with inflammatory changes and fibrosis in obese patients was first described over half a century ago. Although initially thought to be a relatively benign entity,…
Up to 50% of patients with cirrhosis have esophageal varices at initial endoscopy, and nearly all patients with varices have a high portal pressure, that is, an hepatic venous pressure…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
