Benign lymphoid hyperplasia manifesting as a cecal mass: Report of a case

Summary We have presented an unusual case of benign lymphoid hyperplasia, which manifested as a cecal deformity in a 15-year-old boy. The clinical manifestation may have been related to partial occlusion of the appendiceal orifice. In future cases of benign lymphoid hyperplasia, colonoscopy may be diagnostic, and if it is used for continuing observation, may avert unnecessary surgical procedures in children and young adults.     

Epidemiological features and specificities of HCV infection: a hospital-based cohort study in a university medical center of Calabria region

The epidemiological status of HCV in Europe, and in particular in Mediterranean countries, is continuously evolving. The genotype distribution is related to improvement of healthcare conditions, expansion of intravenous drug use and immigration. We review and characterize the epidemiology of the distribution of HCV genotypes within Calabria, an area of Southern Italy. We focus on the pattern of distinct HCV genotype changes over the last 16 years; particularly subtype 1b and genotype 4. We collected data by evaluating a hospital-based cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients; in addition, we report an update including new patients enrolled during last eight months.     

Low frequency of promoter methylation of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase and hMLH1 in ulcerative colitis-associated tumors: comparison with sporadic colonic tumors

To cast light on the contribution of methylation to genesis of ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated tumors, promoter methylation and expression of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), hMLH1, p16INK4, and E-cadherin were examined in 14 low-grade dysplasias (LGDs), 15 high-grade dysplasias (HGDs), and 14 adenocarcinomas associated with UC and, for comparison, in 30 sporadic adenomas with LGD, 30 adenomas with HGD, and 60 adenocarcinomas, using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. The frequency of MGMT and hMLH1 methylation in UC-associated tumors was low, with a significant difference between HGD and sporadic adenomas with HGD of the left hemicolon. The methylation frequency of p16INK4 in UC-associated tumors was also relatively low compared with sporadic colonic tumors. For E-cadherin, methylation was limited in both types of tumor. Decrease of expression of MGMT, hMLH1, and p16INK4 was significantly correlated with methylation. Thus, compared with the sporadic type, contribution of methylation to UC-associated tumorigenesis seems to be low.     

Intracortical haematogenous osteomyelitis

We present an unusual case of haematogenous osteomyelitis in the diaphysis of the tibia of an adult leading to a subacute presentation with an extracortical abscess. Fluid from the abscess grew methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on culture; MRSA with the same antibiogram had been grown from the patient’s blood seven years earlier following a bowel resection. Drainage of the abscess and curettage of the bone lesion together with appropriate antibiotic therapy led to resolution of the osteomyelitis.     

Use of parenteral nutrition in treatment of advanced regional enteritis

Eight patients with advanced regional enteritis characterized by multiple areas of involvement, previous surgery (5 of 8), and failure on medical therapy (6 of 8) were placed on total parenteral nutrition for a period of 30 days. In eight of nine courses administered, definite improvement marked by weight gain, diminished pain, decreased diarrhea, and increased serum albumin was found. However, clinical remission was transient in seven of eight successful courses, indicating that parenteral nutrition is not a definitive form of therapy. However, the results suggest that parenteral nutrition may be useful in patients with regional enteritis to a) restore nutrition, b) induce remission, and c) prepare a debilitated patient for surgery. Additional experience is required to determine the efficacy of parenteral nutrition for therapy of fistulae caused by regional enteritis.     

The colitis of Behcet's disease: A separate entity?

Summary An additional case of Behcet's disease with colonic involvement has been presented. This association is rare, as only 13 prior cases with adequate data were available for comparison. Controversy exists as to whether these cases represented true involvement of the colon by Behcet's disease, coincidental inflammatory bowel disease and Behcet's disease, or merely autoimmune phenomena associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Unusual colonoscopic lesions noted in our patient and other features enumerated in the text suggested to us that at least some of these cases represented primary Behcet's disease involving the colon.