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Background/Aims: Infliximab (IFX) has been used to induce and maintain remission in patients with severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Long-term use of biologics in developing countries is limited by high cost and frequent side effects. An optimal maintenance strategy in these patients needs to be established.Methods: A retrospective analysis of maintenance of clinical remission with combination of azathioprine (AZA) and 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) in patients with severe steroidrefractory UC where IFX (5 mg/kg intravenously at weeks 0, 2, 6) had been used only as an induction therapy was done at 2 centers in India. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients maintaining corticosteroid-free sustained clinical remission (SCR) at the end of study period. Rates of relapse and cost of therapy were also analyzed.Results: Of the 137 patients who received rescue IFX induction therapy, 77 (56.2%) achieved clinical remission (mean age 34.81 ± 13.32 years, 68.83% males, median follow-up 4 years, range 3 months to 6 years) and were included. Cumulative corticosteroid-free SCR was maintained in 68%, 59%, 42%, and 35% patients at 1, 2, 4, and 6 years respectively. Sixty-seven relapses were observed in 33 patients. Majority of the relapses (45/67, 67.16%) occurred within first 2 years of follow-up. Two relapses were managed with re-induction with IFX, one required colectomy, whereas all other responded to repeat course(s) of corticosteroids. Annual per capita maintenance therapy with 5-ASA and AZA was cheaper by US$ 4,526 compared to maintaining remission with IFX.Conclusions: Clinical remission achieved with IFX induction therapy in severe steroid-refractory UC can be sustained over long time with a combination of AZA and 5-ASA.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), once considered a disease of the Western hemisphere, has emerged as a global disease. As the disease prevalence is on a steady rise, management of IBD has come under the spotlight. 5-Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and biologics are the backbone of treatment of IBD. With the advent of biologics and small molecules, the need for surgery and hospitalization has decreased. However, economic viability and acceptability is an important determinant of local prescription patterns. Nearly one-third of the patients in West receive biologics as the first/initial therapy. The scenario is different in developing countries where biologics are used only in a small proportion of patients with IBD. Increased risk of reactivation of tuberculosis and high cost of the therapy are limitations to their use. Thiopurines hence become critical for optimal management of patients with IBD in these regions. However, approximately one-third of patients are intolerant or develop adverse effects with their use. This has led to suboptimal use of thiopurines in clinical practice. This review article discusses the clinical aspects of thiopurine use in patients with IBD with the aim of optimizing their use to full therapeutic potential.

Despite several recent advances in therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) therapy has retained its place especially in ulcerative colitis. This consensus on 5-ASA is obtained through a modified Delphi process, and includes guiding statements and recommendations based on literature evidence (randomized trials, and observational stud ies), clinical practice, and expert opinion on use of 5-ASA in IBD by Indian gastroenterologists. The aim is to aid practitioners in selecting appropriate treatment strategies and facilitate optimal use of 5-ASA in patients with IBD. (Intest Res 2020;18:355-378)

Background/Aims: Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction includes nausea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal distension. We describe patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers and ulcerated strictures secondary to opioid abuse, an entity not well described in literature.Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with opioid abuse gastroenteropathy presenting to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India between January 2013 and December 2018. Opioid abuse gastroenteropathy was defined as gastric or small bowel ulcers and ulcerated strictures in patients abusing opioids, where all other possible etiologies of GI ulcers/strictures were excluded. Clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, radiological and histological parameters as well as response to treatment were assessed.Results: During the study period, 20 patients (mean age, 38.5±14.2 years; 100% males) were diagnosed to have opioid induced GI ulcers and/or ulcerated strictures. The mean duration of opioid consumption was 6.2±3.4 years. The mean duration of symptoms at presentation was 222.1±392.3 days. Thirteen patients (65%) had gastroduodenal involvement, 6 (30%) had a jejunoileal disease and 1 (5%) had an ileocecal stricture. Two patients (10%) presented with upper GI bleeding, 11 (55%) had features of gastric outlet obstruction and 7 (35%) presented with small bowel obstruction. Abdominal pain and iron deficiency anemia were the most common presentations. Only 1 patient (5%) responded to proton pump inhibitors, 3 (15%) had a lasting response to endoscopic balloon dilatation, while all other (80%) required surgical intervention.Conclusions: Opioid abuse gastroenteropathy presents as ulcers and ulcerated strictures which respond poorly to medical management and endoscopic balloon dilatation. A majority of these cases need surgical intervention.

Background/Aims: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recommended for induction of remission in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). However, it is not currently recommended for inducing remission in adults. This report describes the use of 12-week EEN for induction of remission in anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) refractory adult CD.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of adults with moderate to severe active (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CDAI] >220) anti-TNF refractory CD, who received EEN for 12 weeks between April 2018 and March 2019 at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India. Primary outcomes included achievement of clinical remission and fistula healing at 12 weeks. Improvement in inflammatory markers and nutritional status were the secondary end points.Results: Out of 23 patients who received anti-TNF agents, 7 (30.4%) were refractory and were offered EEN as a salvage therapy. Six patients (66.7% females, mean age 25.6±6.5 years) consented. Four patients (66.6%) achieved clinical remission (CDAI P50%), though none achieved remission. Entero-enteric fistulae showed complete healing. Mean body mass index improved from 15.6±3.1 to 18.9±1.9 kg/m2 at week 12 (P=0.003). Hemoglobin and serum albumin also improved from 8.2±1.1 g/dL and 2.8±0.3 g/dL at baseline to 12.6±0.6 g/dL and 3.6±0.5 g/dL post-EEN respectively (PP=0.006 respectively).Conclusions: EEN appears to be an effective and well tolerated therapy for induction of remission in anti-TNF refractory adult CD. More data from prospective trials with larger number of patients is required.

Background and aim Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) targets gut microbiome dysbiosis and is an emerging therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Although initial results with FMT in patients with active UC are encouraging, data regarding its acceptability, tolerability, and safety are scant. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with active UC (Mayo clinic score ≥ 4), who received multisession FMT (at weeks 0, 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22) via colonoscopy between June 2016 and June 2018, was performed. Patient acceptability, tolerability, and immediate and long-term safety of the therapy were assessed. Results Of the 129 patients with active UC who were offered FMT, 101 patients consented, giving acceptability of 78.3%. Fecal slurry retention time improved with each session (3.27 ± 1.06 h for the first session vs 5.12 ± 0.5 h for the seventh session). Abdominal discomfort, flatulence, abdominal distension, borborygmi, and low-grade fever (30.8%, 15.9%, 9.8%, 7.9%, and 7.6%, respectively) were the most common post-procedural short-term adverse events. Long-term adverse events included new-onset urticaria (n = 2, 4.3%), arthritis/arthralgia (n = 3, 6.5%), depression (n = 1, 2.2%), partial sensorineural hearing loss (n = 1, 2.2%), and allergic bronchitis (n = 1, 2.2%). Thirteen (12.9%) patients dropped out because of adverse events. Conclusion Fecal microbiota transplantation appears to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure, with good acceptability in patients with active UC.

IntroductionThese Asian Working Group guidelines on diet in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) present a multidisciplinary focus on clinical nutrition in IBD in Asian countries.MethodologyThe guidelines are based on evidence from existing published literature; however, if objective data were lacking or inconclusive, expert opinion was considered. The conclusions and 38 recommendations have been subject to full peer review and a Delphi process in which uniformly positive responses (agree or strongly agree) were required.ResultsDiet has an important role in IBD pathogenesis, and an increase in the incidence of IBD in Asian countries has paralleled changes in the dietary patterns. The present consensus endeavors to address the following topics in relation to IBD: (i) role of diet in the pathogenesis; (ii) diet as a therapy; (iii) malnutrition and nutritional assessment of the patients; (iv) dietary recommendations; (v) nutritional rehabilitation; and (vi) nutrition in special situations like surgery, pregnancy, and lactation.ConclusionsAvailable objective data to guide nutritional support and primary nutritional therapy in IBD are presented as 38 recommendations.

Background The American College of Radiology updated Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) version 1.0 to version 1.1 in May 2019, with the two key changes involving perifissural nodules (PFNs) and ground-glass nodules (GGNs) now designated as a negative screening result. This study examines the effects of these changes using National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) data. Purpose To determine the frequency of PFNs and GGNs reclassified from category 3 or 4A to the more benign category 2 in the updated Lung-RADS version 1.1, as compared with Lung-RADS version 1.0, using CT scans from the NLST. Materials and Methods In this secondary analysis of the NLST, the authors studied all noncalcified nodules (NCNs) found on the incident scan. Nodules were evaluated using criteria from both Lung-RADS version 1.0 and version 1.1, which were compared to determine changes in the number of nodules deemed benign. A McNemar test was used to assess statistical significance. Results A total of 2813 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 62 years ± 5; 1717 men) with 4408 NCNs were studied. Of the largest 1092 solid NCNs measuring at least 6 mm but less than 10 mm, 216 (19.8%) were deemed PFNs (category 2) using Lung-RADS version 1.1. Eleven of the 1092 solid NCNs (1.0%) were malignant, but none were PFNs. Of 161 GGNs, three (1.9%) were category 3 according to Lung-RADS version 1.0, of which two (66.7%) were down-classified to category 2 with version 1.1. One of the three down-categorized GGNs (version 1.1) proved to be malignant (false-negative finding). Statistically significant improvement for Lung-RADS version 1.1 was found for total nodules (P < .01) and PFNs (P < .01), but not GGNs (P = .48). Conclusion This secondary analysis of National Lung Screening Trial data shows that Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System version 1.1 decreased the number of false-positive results. This was related to the down-classification of perifissural nodules in the range of 6 up to 10 mm. The increase in allowable nodule size for ground-glass nodules in category 2 from 20 mm (version 1.0) to 30 mm (version 1.1) showed no benefit. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Mayo and Lam in this issue.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) compared to nonrobotic surgery (NRS) on overall survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). We performed a retrospective study of patients with HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC undergoing TORS or NRS with neck dissection using the National Cancer Database from the years 2010-2016. Among patients with OPSCC in our cohort, 3167 (58.1%) patients underwent NRS and 2288 (41.9%) underwent TORS. TORS patients demonstrated better overall survival than NRS patients (HPV+ patients: aHR 0.74, p = 0.02; HPV- patients: aHR 0.58, p < 0.01). Subsite analysis showed TORS was correlated with improved survival in base of tongue (BoT) primaries for both HPV+ (aHR 0.46, p = 0.01) and HPV- (aHR 0.42, p = 0.01) OPSCC. Compared to NRS, TORS is associated with improved overall survival for HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC, as well as greater overall survival for BoT primaries.

Background Atypical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are being encountered as the pandemic unfolds, leading to non–chest CT scans that may uncover unsuspected pulmonary disease. Purpose To investigate patients with primary nonrespiratory symptoms who underwent CT of the abdomen or pelvis or CT of the cervical spine or neck with unsuspected findings highly suspicious for pulmonary COVID-19. Materials and Methods This retrospective study from March 10, 2020, to April 6, 2020, involved three institutions, two in a region considered a hot spot (area of high prevalence) for COVID-19. Patients without known COVID-19 were included who presented to the emergency department (ED) with primary nonrespiratory (gastrointestinal or neurologic) symptoms, had lung parenchymal findings suspicious for COVID-19 at non–chest CT but not concurrent chest CT, and underwent COVID-19 testing in the ED. Group 1 patients had reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results obtained before CT scan reading (COVID-19 suspected on presentation); group 2 had RT-PCR results obtained after CT scans were read (COVID-19 not suspected). Presentation and imaging findings were compared, and outcomes were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used for analysis. Results Group 1 comprised 62 patients (31 men, 31 women; mean age, 67 years ±17 [standard deviation]), and group 2 comprised 57 patients (28 men, 29 women; mean age, 63 years ± 16). Cough and fever were more common in group 1 (37 of 62 [60%] and 29 of 62 [47%], respectively) than in group 2 (nine of 57 [16%] and 12 of 57 [21%], respectively), with no significant difference in the remaining symptoms. There were 101 CT scans of the abdomen or pelvis and 18 CT scans of the cervical spine or neck. In group 1, non–chest CT findings provided the initial evidence of COVID-19–related pneumonia in 32 of 62 (52%) patients. In group 2, the evidence was found in 44 of 57 (77%) patients. Overall, the most common CT findings were ground-glass opacity (114 of 119, 96%) and consolidation (47 of 119, 40%). Major interventions (vasopressor medication or intubation) were required for 29 of 119 (24%) patients, and 27 of 119 (23%) died. Patients who underwent CT of the cervical spine or neck had worse outcomes than those who underwent abdominal or pelvic CT (P = .01). Conclusion In a substantial percentage of patients with primary nonrespiratory symptoms who underwent non–chest CT, CT provided evidence of coronavirus disease 2019–related pneumonia. © RSNA, 2020

Objective To assess impact of Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) therapies for treatment of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 3 and 4 in a real-world cohort from India. Methods Adults with chronic HCV infection treated with Sofosbuvir (SOF) and Ledipasvir (LDV) (genotypes 1 and 4) or SOF and Daclatasvir (DCV) (genotype 3), with or without Ribavirin (RBV) between December 2015 and December 2016 were included. The primary endpoint was Sustained Virological Response at Post-treatment Week 12 (SVR12). Results Of the 648 patients, 181 received SOF/LDV (65 with RBV) and 467 received SOF/DCV (135 with RBV). Most patients were males (65.4%), aged 41–60 years (49.4%) and treatment-naive (92.6%). Genotype 3 (72.1%) was most common, followed by genotypes 1 (22.4%) and 4 (5.6%). Forty two percent patients (n = 271) had cirrhosis (112 patients were decompensated). SVR12 (modified intention-to-treat) was achieved by 98.1% of patients (512/522) (100% in genotypes 1 and 4, and 97.3% (362/372) in genotype 3). On intention to treat analysis, SVR12 was 88.1% (512/581) [genotype 1—96.8% (121/125), genotype 3—85.2%, genotype 4—93.5% (29/31)]. Seventy patients had treatment failure (non response in 6, virological breakthrough in 2, 10 patients relapsed, 2 died and 50 were lost to follow up). High SVR was observed regardless of HCV genotype, presence of cirrhosis or past history of treatment. No major adverse events warranting discontinuation of treatment were noted. Conclusions DAA therapy for HCV genotypes 1, 3 and 4 achieves high SVR rates in all patients, including those with cirrhosis and previous non-responders.

Background The epidemiology and clinical profile of hepatitis C virus (HCV) varies worldwide and data from developing countries is sparse. Aims To study the clinical profile of HCV infection in a developing country in South East Asia (India). Methods This observational study assessed patient demographics, viral characteristics, risk factors for virus acquisition and disease characteristics in HCV patients diagnosed between January 2004 and December 2015. Results Of 8,035 patients were diagnosed with HCV infection, a majority were males (68.3%), middle aged (52.2%), from low (34%) and middle (46%) socioeconomic status and rural population (69.8%). Eighty two percent had identifiable risk factors, commonest being history of dental treatment (52%) and therapeutic injections with reusable syringes/needles (45%). Household contacts of index patients had high prevalence of HCV (15.3%). Common genotypes were genotype 3 (70.4%) and genotype 1 (19.3%). Though a majority of patients were either asymptomatic (54.8%) or had non-specific symptoms (6.7%) at presentation, a significant proportion (9.3%) had advanced liver disease. Presentation with cirrhosis (38.8%) was associated with male gender, higher age at time of virus detection, rural residence, alcohol or opium intake and coinfections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Conclusions HCV infection in northern India is seen more commonly in males, middle aged, rural background from low-middle socioeconomic status. The common possible risk factors are dental treatment and exposure to reused syringes and needles. Though the commonest presentation is incidental detection, a large number of patients present with advanced liver disease.

Elevation of pressure within tightly bound myofascial compartments has detrimental consequences if not treated promptly, leading to a loss of circulation, ischemia, myonecrosis, nerve damage, and limb loss. They are commonly seen in the distal upper and lower extremities; however, compartment syndrome of the hand is rarely encountered and prompt recognition can prevent permanent damage and tissue loss. This case study presents a complicated case of compartment syndrome of the hand and discusses the interrelationship between compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. An emphasis is placed on pathophysiology of this relationship to allow a better understanding of the imaging features as well as early clinical recognition of compartment syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging findings are specifically discussed as it remains the best imaging tool to evaluate the extent of the damage and surgical planning.

Background/Aims Data on the efficacy and safety of the adalimumab biosimilar Exemptia are limited. Methods Patients with moderate-to-severe active steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) treated at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, India were offered cyclosporine A, biologicals or biosimilars, or surgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who were treated with the adalimumab biosimilar, Exemptia. These patients were administered an induction dosing schedule of 160 mg Exemptia at week 0, 80 mg at week 2, and then 40 mg every other week from week 4 to 8. The clinical response and remission were assessed at week 8 using Mayo score. Results A total of 29 patients (62.1% male; mean age, 34.9 ± 9.7 years) with moderate-to-severe steroid-refractory active UC (mean disease duration, 6.3±5.1 years; pancolitis in 9 patients [31.1%]; left-sided colitis in 20 patients [68.9%]) were treated with the Exemptia induction dosing schedule. The mean Mayo score at presentation was 8.2±1.4. At week 8, clinical response was observed in 7 patients (24.1%), whereas clinical remission was observed only in 1 patient (3.5%). Among the non-responders (n=21), 4 patients required colectomy, 1 died, 1 was lost to follow-up, 10 were offered fecal microbiota transplant, 3 were administered infliximab, and 2 patients were administered cyclosporine and tacrolimus, respectively. Four patients (13.8%) developed extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions The adalimumab biosimilar Exemptia has limited efficacy for the attainment of clinical response and remission in moderate-to-severe steroid-refractory UC, with a significant risk of acquisition or reactivation of tuberculosis in developing countries such as India.

Background The introduction of sofosbuvir has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. This study was planned to observe whether the efficacy and tolerability of sofosbuvir-based regimens demonstrated in phase 3 clinical trial results translate into real life clinical practice. Methodology This prospective, non randomized observational study conducted in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Punjab included all consecutive treatment naive patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1-5) who were treated with sofosbuvir based regimens. Response to therapy was assessed at week 4 (Rapid virological response, RVR), week 12 or 24 (End of treatment response, ETR) and 12 weeks after cessation of therapy (Sustained virological response, SVR). Results Of 947 patients diagnosed with chronic HCV and considered for treatment with direct acting antivirals(DAAs), 736 patients (77.1%) opted for treatment [Age 45.1 ± 10.1,64% males, genotype 3(80%), genotype 1(14.7%), genotype 4(4.9%)]. Viral load was high (>600,000 IU/ml) in 361/736 (49%); 330 patients (44.8%) had cirrhosis (80 (14.3%) were decompensated). Patients with genotype 1, 4, 5 (n = 135) were treated with triple drug regime (pegylated interferon, ribavirin, sofosbuvir) for 12 weeks. Patients with genotype 3 (n = 589) were treated either with dual therapy (sofosbuvir and ribavirin) for 24 weeks (n = 405) or triple therapy for 12 weeks (n = 184). SVR was achieved in 453/473 (95.8%). SVR rates did not differ among different genotypes but were higher in non cirrhotics. Conclusion Sofosbuvir based treatment regimens achieve high SVR rates in real life cohort of Indian patients with chronic hepatitis C infection (including those with cirrhosis). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The recommendations 31 which recommend "VSL#3®", refer only to the product used in the cited literature and equivalent products independent from the present product labelings. This product is now known by the generic name "De Simone Formulation".

Rationale and Objectives To evaluate if incidental abdominopelvic calcified atherosclerosis (ACA) in patients under 50 years of age correlates with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Most studies evaluating calcific atherosclerosis and associated increased risk of CVD have concentrated on middle age and older populations. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of 519 emergency department patients, aged 25–50 years, receiving computed tomography (CT) was performed and ACA correlated with lipid panels obtained via chart review. Those with calcified atherosclerosis were subdivided by vessel location and calcification burden (mild, moderate, or severe). Patients were followed for six years. Normality, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests were performed. Results Two hundred and sixty-nine patients with incidental ACA on CT and 250 without ACA were studied. Atherosclerotic calcifications had a statistically significant correlation with elevated triglyceride (128 mg/dL vs 105 mg/dL; p = 0.0003) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (38 mg/dL vs 41 mg/dL; p = 0.0032) as compared to the control. Patients with ACA were at higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death (p Conclusion Incidental atherosclerotic calcification on abdominopelvic CT in patients under 50 years of age correlated with elevated triglycerides and decreased high-density lipoprotein as well as higher risk of cardiovascular events. Since radiologists may be the first to identify this finding and CVD is the leading cause of US deaths, proper recognition and reporting of calcification is valuable.

Though a majority of cases of lead intoxication come from occupational exposures, traditional and folk remedies have also been reported to contain toxic amounts of lead. We present a large series of patients with lead poisoning due to intake of Ayurvedic medicines, all of whom presented with unexplained abdominal pain.This was a retrospective, observational case series from a tertiary care center in India. The charts of patients who underwent blood lead level (BLL) testing as a part of workup for unexplained abdominal pain between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. The patients with lead intoxication (BLLs 25 μg/dl) were identified and demographics, history, possible risk factors, clinical presentation and investigations were reviewed. Treatment details, duration, time to symptomatic recovery, laboratory follow-up and adverse events during therapy were recorded.BLLs were tested in 786 patients with unexplained abdominal pain and high levels were identified in 75 (9.5%) patients, of which a majority (73 patients, 9.3%) had history of Ayurvedic medication intake and only two had occupational exposure. Five randomly chosen Ayurvedic medications were analyzed and lead levels were impermissibly high (14-34,950 ppm) in all of them. Besides pain in abdomen, other presenting complaints were constipation, hypertension, neurological symptoms and acute kidney injury. Anemia and abnormal liver biochemical tests were observed in all the 73 patients. Discontinuing the Ayurvedic medicines and chelation with d-penicillamine led to improvement in symptoms and reduction in BLLs in all patients within 3-4 months.The patients presenting with severe recurrent abdominal pain, anemia and history of use of Ayurvedic medicines should be evaluated for lead toxicity. Early diagnosis in such cases can prevent unnecessary investigations and interventions, and permits early commencement of the treatment.

Fat embolism occurs in the vast majority of patients who have had trauma (approximately 90%). The most common occurrence is after long bone fracture. It has also been noted in cases after orthopedic surgery. Fat embolism is most often diagnosed when the clinical manifestations of fat embolism syndrome become apparent. Reported cases of fat emboli in transit are unusual. In our case, we present the rare finding of fat embolism seen on computed tomography in the lower extremity after a trauma.

Background Financial constraints, social taboos and beliefs in alternative medicine are common reasons for delaying or not considering treatment for hepatitis C in India. The present study was planned to analyze the impact of non-banking interest free loan facility in patients affected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in North India. Methods This one year observational, retrospective study was conducted in Department of Gastroenterology (January 2012-December 2013), Dayanand Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana, to evaluate the impact of program titled “Sambhav” (which provided non-banking financial assistance and counselor services) on treatment initiation and therapeutic compliance in HCV patients. Data of fully evaluated patients with chronic hepatitis, and/or cirrhosis due to HCV infection who were treated with Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin (RBV) combination during this duration (2012-2013) was collected from patient medical records and analyzed. In the year 2012, eligible patients who were offered antiviral treatment paid for treatment themselves, while in 2013, ‘Sambhav’ program was launched and this provided interest free financing by non-banking financial company (NBFC) for the treatment of HCV in addition to free counselor services for disease management. The treatment initiation and compliance rates were compared between the patients (n = 585) enrolled in 2013 who were offered ‘Sambhav’ assistance and those enrolled in 2012 (n = 628) when ‘Sambhav’ was not available. Results Introduction of Sambhav program improved the rates of treatment initiation (59% in 2013 vs. 51% in 2012, P = .004). Of the 585 eligible patients offered ‘Sambhav’ assistance in 2013, 233 patients (39.8%) applied but 106/233 (45.4%) received assistance. Antiviral therapy was started in 93/106 (87.7%) of these patients, while only 52 (42.5%) of 127 patients whose applications were rejected underwent treatment. Compliance to antiviral therapy also improved with the introduction of ‘Sambhav’ program (87.7% vs. 74.1%, P = .001). Conclusion ‘Sambhav’ program had significant impact on the initiation of antiviral therapy by overcoming the financial hurdles. The free counselor services helped to mitigate social taboos and imparted adequate awareness about the disease to the patients. Initiatives like ‘Sambhav’ can be utilized for improving healthcare services in developing countries, especially for chronic diseases.

Background With an increasing number of ileal intubations, isolated terminal ileal ulcers (ITIU) are frequently found during colonoscopies. The present study aimed at studying the etiology and clinical significance of these ulcers in patients having gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods This was a prospective observational study performed on consecutive patients who underwent ileocolonoscopy for various gastrointestinal symptoms between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014. Clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings of patients with ITIUs were assessed to determine the etiology and they were treated accordingly. Symptom resolution was assessed within 3 – 6 months of initial diagnosis, and colonoscopy was repeated for consenting patients. Results Among 74 (4.9 %) of 1497 patients who had ITIUs on ileocolonoscopy, 41 (55.4 %) had specific etiologies on initial testing. After 3 – 6 months follow-up, definitive diagnosis was ascertained in 44 (59.5 %) patients [Crohn’s disease (CD): 19 (25.7 %), NSAID-induced ulcers: 11 (14.9 %), intestinal tuberculosis (ITB): 9 (12.2 %), and eosinophilic enteritis: 5 (6.8 %)], and 30 patients (40.5 %) had nonspecific ulcers. After treatment, symptomatic and endoscopic resolution were noted in 55/60 patients (91.7 %) and 28/36 patients (77.8 %), respectively. Of 5/60 patients who remained symptomatic, three were initially diagnosed with nonspecific ulcers and two with CD, and they were finally diagnosed with CD and ITB respectively, and treated accordingly. Conclusions In patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, more than half of the ITIUs have specific etiologies, and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent serious complications. Nonspecific ulcers can be managed with symptomatic treatment, but need close monitoring and re-evaluation in the case of persistence of symptoms.

Benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare entity with fewer than 150 reported cases in the literature. Here we discuss a case of BMPM in a 22-year old female as presented to our urban community hospital, review epidemiology and clinical presentations of this entity, and perform a comprehensive literature review of various CT, US, and MR imaging features of BMPM.