by Laura Alonso Canal  , María José Quiles Blanco  , David Jiménez Leiva  and María José González Iglesias

Received: 26 June 2019;  Published: 30 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903037

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease of unknown origin. It has been proposed that it is a multifactorial disease with genetic, immunological, infectious, circulatory, and psychogenic factors being involved in its etiopathogenesis. Its association with other autoimmune diseases is frequent. The infection of Helicobacter pylori has been linked to multiple immuno-mediated extradigestive conditions including alopecia areata. There is scientific evidence of the usefulness of naltrexone in low dos [...]

by Herbert Van Kruiningen

Received: 05 April 2019;  Published: 30 September 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903036

by Alessandro Luigi Rossi  , Vincenzo Capilupi  , David Palombo  , Luigi Tagliatesta  , Tecla Terenzio  , Marco Vitali  and Matteo Chiapasco

Received: 29 April 2019;  Published: 30 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903035

OBJECTIVES To review current literature analysing possible secondary complications in response to the administration of paracetamol and codeine as analgesics in the dental field. To discuss a case of secondary acute pancreatitis triggered by the administration of both active ingredients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 28-year-old patient, without any pancreatic or hepatobiliary condition was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis 3 hours after taking paracetamol 500mg and codeine 30mg prescribed as pain-rel [...]

by Mauro Turrin

Received: 15 March 2019;  Published: 29 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903034

Background: Among the rarest causes of acute pancreatitis, in addition to the drugs (DIAP), there are eosinophilic pancreatitis (EP) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Methods: we have researched on PUBMED the descriptions of clinical cases of eosinophilic pancreatitis appeared from 1990 to February 2019 and those related to new drugs responsible for acute pancreatitis. Results: we found about thirty reports of eosinophilic pancreatitis associated or not with hypereosinophilia and gastro-intesti [...]

by Alina Wong  and Scott D Lee

Received: 09 May 2019;  Published: 16 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903033

Crohn’s disease is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation that can result in significant morbidity and loss of intestinal function over time. Many novel treatments for Crohn’s disease are being developed, but a significant portion of patients still requires surgical therapy for structuring or penetrating disease. While the utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease patients is well established, new endoscopic techniques are being developed t [...]

by Abdulmaleek Sado  , Rahul Kalla  and Simon Campbell

Received: 20 May 2019;  Published: 14 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903032

Crohn's disease is part of a group of diseases termed inflammatory bowel disease. Guidelines have long advocated the use of steroids for acute flare up and Current goals of treatment include enhancing long-lasting remission, preventing relapse, reducing the need for surgery, preventing complications and slowing disease progression. No cure currently exists for the disease. Traditionally, the clinical approach to treatment has been symptom-based where patients have had to ‘earn’ their next treatm [...]

by Rachel Rutherford  and Patrick B Allen

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 12 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903031

Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory, relapsing and remitting condition that leads to structural damage of the bowel wall. It can be located in any part of the gastrointestinal tract with associated extra-intestinal manifestations. It varies in severity having many complications resulting in significant morbidity. In the past decade medical management of CD has evolved rapidly and with ongoing research it continues to show promising novel therapies. In this article we aim to give an ov [...]

by Marta Ramirez  and Mercedes Fernandez

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 31 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903030

This review describes our current understanding of the pathogenic role of angiogenesis in chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, emphasizing its involvement not only in the liver but also in extrahepatic complications such as the formation of portosystemic collaterals and increased splanchnic blood flow, and highlighting different molecular and cellular mechanisms involved.

by Danielle Graham  , Takahiro Ito  , Ronald Busuttil  and Fady Kaldas

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 29 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903029

Acute pancreatitis is a highly morbid condition widely recognized and well-defined in the general population. In this article, we summarize the current literature on acute pancreatitis in the setting of solid organ transplant axiom, including patients who are listed for or have undergone transplantation. The literature is summarized by organ transplant type, including cardiac, lung, pancreas, kidney, intestine, and liver. Our review suggests that providers should have a high index of suspicion f [...]

by Daniel Hughes  , Alex Gordon-Weeks  and Michael A Silva

Received: 30 April 2019;  Published: 19 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903028

(1) Background: Hereditary Pancreatitis is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. These patients usually present at a young age with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis that usually progresses to chronic pancreatitis with associated endocrine and exocrine failure. Hereditary pancreatitis also carries an increased lifetime risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These high risk patients need early intervention where appropriate by specialist multidisciplinary teams and tailored long term manage [...]

by Kazuyuki Suzuki  , Akinobu Kato  and Yasuhiro Takikawa

Received: 04 February 2019;  Published: 16 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903027

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome showing a wide spectrum and one of the serious complications seen in patients with acute and chronic liver disease or spontaneous portal-systemic shunting. Recently, HE has been classified into two categories: covert HE, which involves minimal HE and is identified solely through psychometric or neurological tests, and overt HE (coma grade II-IV). Although recent therapies based on evidence-based results have improved the therapeutic outc [...]

by Samantha Varley  , Kirsten Rossi  , Meghan Murray  and Alissa Nichole

Received: 17 May 2019;  Published: 12 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1903026

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas and is one of the most common ailments of the gastrointestinal system that results in significant morbidity and mortality. The main etiologic causes of AP are alcohol consumption, gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia, and biliary stones. The clinical signs and symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of AP are well established in the literature and multiple studies. Multiple scoring systems have been used to predict the severity, progno [...]