One catheter or two? Tomayto or Tomahto?

• This retrospective study compares the performance of transradial diagnostic procedures using the single versus Judkins catheter approach.
• The Judkins approach had a 15% lower patient radiation exposure than single catheter approach while fluoroscopy time was comparable.
• Future studies of comparing such techniques may always be limited by operator preference, experience, and comfort.

     

Irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis, or both?

Both irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis are common conditions, although symptomatic gastrointestinal endometriosis is extremely rare. We report the case of a patient initially thought to have irritable bowel syndrome, in whom the diagnosis of endometriosis only became clear following a laparotomy for small bowel obstruction. This case highlights the need to question the diagnosis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome when there is any uncertainty, and also to appreciate that other pathology can arise, even when the diagnosis is secure.     

C-Reactive Proteins in Atherosclerosis: Marker or Maker or Both

C-reactive protein (CRP) is not only a predictor of cardiovascular events but also may be a new potential risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. More recently, a number of studies using cultured cells showed that CRP can directly induce man…     

To be or not to be--an incretin or enterogastrone?

Glucagon-like peptide 1 does not comfortably fulfil the criterion of a gut derived factor responsible for an enhanced meal related insulin response; it appears logical to add the definition of a "physiological incretin hormone".