Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a pre-malignant condition of the gastric mucosa associated with increased gastric cancer (GC) risk. We performed (epi)genomic profiling of 138 IMs from 148 cancer-free patients, recruited through a 10-year prospective study. Compared with GCs, IMs exhibit low mutational burdens, recurrent mutations in certain tumor suppressors (FBXW7) but not others (TP53, ARID1A), chromosome 8q amplification, and shortened telomeres. Sequencing identified more IM patients with active Helicobacter pylori infection compared with histopathology (11%-27%). Several IMs exhibited hypermethylation at DNA methylation valleys; however, IMs generally lack intragenic hypomethylation signatures of advanced malignancy. IM patients with shortened telomeres and chromosomal alterations were associated with subsequent dysplasia or GC; conversely patients exhibiting normal-like epigenomic patterns were associated with regression.
Rupture of the diaphragm is almost always due to major trauma and is most commonly associated with road-traffic accidents. We report a case of delayed presentation of a 35-year-old woman with a ruptured diaphragm, 11 days following apparent minor blunt trauma. This case illustrates how the diagnosis of ruptured diaphragm can be missed and demonstrates the importance of considering this diagnosis in all cases of blunt trauma to the trunk. It also demonstrates the potential pitfall of misinterpreting the chest radiograph, and the value of repeat imaging after insertion of a nasogastric tube.
Early bacteriological, oncological and functional results show that NOSE is safe and feasible. Follow-up is required to establish that long-term oncological outcome is not compromised.
Introduction: H. pylori eradication reduces the risk of gastric malignancies and peptic ulcer disease. First-line therapies include 14-day PAC (proton pump inhibitor [PPI], amoxicillin, clarithromycin) and PBMT (PPI, bismuth, metronidazole, tetracycline). Second-line therapies include 14-day PBMT and PAL (PPI, amoxicillin, levofloxacin). This clinical audit examined current treatment outcomes in Singapore. Methods: Clinical data of H. pylori-positive patients who underwent empirical first- and second-line eradication therapies from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018 were reviewed. Treatment success was determined by 13C urea breath test performed at least 4 weeks after treatment and 2 weeks off PPI. Results: A total of 963 patients (862 PAC, 36 PMC [PPI, metronidazole, clarithromycin], 18 PBMT, 13 PBAC [PAC with bismuth], 34 others) and 98 patients (62 PMBT, 15 PAL, 21 others) received first- and second-line therapies respectively. A 14-day treatment duration was appropriately prescribed for first- and second-line therapies in 65.2% and 82.7% of patients, respectively. First-line treatment success rates were noted for PAC (seven-day: 76.9%, ten-day: 88.3%, 14-day: 92.0%), PMC (seven-day: 0, ten-day: 75.0%, 14-day: 69.8%), PBMT (ten-day: 100%, 14-day: 87.5%) and PBAC (14-day: 100%). 14-day treatment was superior to seven-day treatment (90.8% vs. 71.4%; p = 0.028). PAC was superior to PMC (p < 0.001) but similar to PBMT (p = 0.518) and PBAC (p = 0.288) in 14-day therapies. 14-day second-line PAL and PBMT had similar efficacy (90.9% vs. 82.4%; p = 0.674). Conclusion: First-line empirical treatment using PAC, PBMT and PBAC for 14 days had similar efficacy. Success rates for second-line PBMT and PAL were similar.
We report a case of a primary parahiatal hernia that was repaired laparoscopically with a composite mesh. A 51-year-old woman presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. CT scan showed a giant paraesophageal hernia with intrathoracic gastric volvulus. Intraoperatively, a diaphragmatic muscular defect was found lateral to an attenuated left crus of the diaphragm, distinct from the normal esophageal hiatus. The defect ring was fibrotic, making a tension-free primary repair difficult. A laparoscopic mesh repair was performed with a composite mesh, which was covered with the hernia sac to prevent potential erosion into the esophagus or stomach. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 5 days postoperatively. She remained asymptomatic at subsequent follow-up. Laparoscopic repair of parahiatal hernia can be safely performed. In circumstances where a large or fibrotic defect prevents a tension-free primary repair, the use of a composite mesh can provide effective repair of the hernia.
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