Acute necrotizing esophagitis was more commonly recognized than has previously been reported. It is a serious clinical entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly in elderly patients. The prognosis depends more on the patient's advanced age and on comorbid illnesses than on the course of the esophageal lesions, which resolved in all patients in this series.

Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a frequent health problem with considerable repercussions on patients’ quality of life. However, much of the clinical practice related to HD is based on knowledge without scientific evidence and supported largely by empirical experience of the physician who deals with this pathology. As in other countries, the goal of this consensus is to establish statements supported by solid scientific evidence and whose purpose will be to standardize and guide the diagnosis and management of HD both in the general population and in some particular groups of patients.

Background and Aims: Hemorrhoid disorders are common. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of polidocanol foam injected at high doses with intravenous needle for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids that prolapse or bleed. Methods: We evaluated 2,000 consecutive patients with prolapsed hemorrhoids (grades II/III/IV) recruited over 6 years. Foam injection was performed in one to four sessions with polidocanol 2%: 10 mL of the mixture (2 mL liquid plus air) or 20 mL (4 mL liquid plus air). The number of sessions and amount of foam injected depended on initial hemorrhoid size, compliance to receive foam, and clinical response. The mixture, prepared using a three-way tap connected to two 10/20-mL syringes, was injected immediately after preparation using an intravenous needle. The primary endpoint was self-reported satisfaction without major complications at 4 weeks. Results: Efficacy was very high, with 1,957 patients (98%) reporting satisfaction regarding blood loss control and prolapse reduction. The procedure was well tolerated: 1,838 patients (92%) presented mild/no pain. Objective reduction of prolapse volume was documented in 86% of reobserved cases. Complications were rare and usually minor: only 3 cases of clinically significant bleeding (0.15%), 2 of whom were on dual antiplatelet therapy plus oral anticoagulation, 2 cases of rectal abscess, 8 hemorrhoid thromboses, and 1 urinary retention requiring catheter (0.7% severe complications). Conclusions: Treatment of internal hemorrhoids with polidocanol foam injected in high doses is very effective and safe for the control of blood loss and prolapse, even for patients on anticoagulation/antiplatelet treatment.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are an uncommon group of tumors of mesenchymal origin. GIST of the anal canal is extremely rare. At present, only 10 cases of c-kit positive anal GIST have been reported in the literature. There is no widely accepted treatment approach for this neoplasia. Literature is sparse on imaging evaluation of anal canal GIST, usually described as a lesion in the intersphincteric space. We describe the case of a 73-year-old man with a mass in the anal canal, and no other symptoms. Endoanal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well circumscribed solid nodule in the intersphincteric space. The patient was treated by local excision. Gross pathological examination showed a 7 cm × 3.5 cm × 3 cm mass, and histological examination showed a proliferation of spindle cells, with prominent nuclear palisading. The mitotic count was of 12 mitoses/50 HPF. The tumor was positive for KIT protein, CD34 and vimentin in the majority of cells, and negative for desmin and S100. A diagnosis of GIST, with high risk aggressive behavior was made. An abdomino-perineal resection was discussed, but refused. The follow-up included clinical evaluation and anal ultrasound. After 5 years the patient is well, with maintained continence and no evidence of local recurrence.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy driven by gluten and affecting individuals of all ages. The diagnosis of CD in adulthood is emerging and patients often present with nonclassical extraintestinal manifestations. We report the case of a 53-year-old man presenting with neuromuscular symptoms, skin rash, inconspicuous chronic diarrhea, marked weight loss, and biochemical markers of malabsorption. A strong clinical suspicion led to the diagnosis of CD with clinical recovery after the initiation of a gluten-free diet. Clinical presentation with atypical symptoms in adult CD patients is the rule and not the exception. Most of the extraintestinal manifestations depend on background autoimmune phenomena and micronutrient malabsorption. A gluten-free diet re-establishes homeostasis and prevents long-term complications.