Intermittent IV infusions of saline dramatically reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients suffering from POTS. Further work should explore its efficacy as a bridge study for patients of high symptomatic severity.

Background In patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), endoscopic biliary drainage using the conventional self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is the gold standard method for palliative treatment. However, there are limited data on the role of the antireflux valve metal stent (ARVMS). The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of ARVMS and SEMS in patients with distal MBO. Methods We searched PubMed, Ovid, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception until April 2019 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The selected studies provided data regarding technical and clinical success rates, adverse events, and stent dysfunction. Data were meta-analyzed using RevMan software. Results Three RCTs were selected, enrolling 293 patients (147 ARVMS and 146 SEMS). The rates of technical success were 95.23% and 99.31% for ARVMS and SEMS groups, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-1.06; P=0.06). The clinical success rates were 91.57% and 89.36% for ARVMS and SEMS groups, respectively (OR 1.30, 95%CI 0.48-3.51; P=0.61). There was no significant difference between the ARVMS and SEMS groups in terms of adverse events (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.35-1.05; P=0.07) or stent dysfunction (OR 0.77, 95%CI 0.31-1.95; P=0.58), while the incidence of stent occlusion was significantly lower in the ARVMS group (OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.26-0.76; P=0.003). Conclusion Our study showed that ARVMS and SEMS had similar technical and clinical success rates. Adverse events were comparable between the 2 arms; however, ARVMS was associated with a lower risk of stent occlusion. Larger RCTs are required to verify the benefit of ARVMS in distal MBO patients.

Intussusception typically occurs in infants and children, with adults representing 5% of cases. A 53-year-old African American woman presented with lower abdominal pain and tenderness. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a 3.5 cm colocolonic intussusception in the descending colon. Emergent colonoscopy found solid stool in the mid descending colon. Water-soluble rectal enema showed a filling defect in the mid descending colon. Repeat colonoscopy demonstrated presence of a large fecaloma in left colon. Laxatives were initiated, and abdominal pain subsided. To our knowledge, this is the first report of colocolonic intussusception secondary to fecaloma.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to cause angioedema. Most ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema cases describe swelling in the periorbital region, tongue, and pharynx. We describe a case of a 62-year-old female with presumed angioedema of the small bowel after more than a 2-year history of lisinopril use (with no recent changes in her dose of 40 mg orally twice daily). The patient presented with nausea and intermittent left middle and upper quadrant abdominal pain and denied history of angioedema or swelling with any medications or any history of abdominal pain. On physical examination, bowel sounds, liver, and spleen were normal. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis (15 400 per mm) and normal complement 1 esterase inhibitor levels. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed segmental small bowel thickening and edema with ascites and surrounding inflammatory changes. There was no lymphadenopathy, obstruction, or ileus. Two days after discontinuation of the lisinopril, the patient reported improvement in symptoms. The Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship (score of 7) between the development of angioedema of the small bowel and the lisinopril therapy. This case highlights the unique manner in which ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema may present. A review of published cases of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema of the small bowel is provided.

BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. The prevalence of different gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations has been investigated in multiple, but mainly small, retrospective studies. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and risk for a broad spectrum of GI disorders and malignancies in a large sample of inpatients with SSc in the United States.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis using the 2010-2011 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project – Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). SSc patients were identified by ICD-9-CM code 710.1. Non-SSc patients (“controls”) were matched to cases 4:1 by age and sex. We examined demographics, clinical characteristics, and a range of GI conditions.ResultsFrom 15,824,031 total patients, 13,633 cases of SSc were matched to 54,532 controls. The prevalence of GI manifestations among SSc patients was 59.24% compared to 29.96% for controls (P<0.0001). Significantly elevated GI manifestations in SSc patients included dysphagia (4.3% vs. 1.9%, P<0.0001), esophageal reflux (34.8% vs. 15.4%, P<0.0001), Barrett’s esophagus (1.7% vs. 0.3%, P<0.0001), constipation (6% vs. 4.6%, P<0.0001), diarrhea (4.5% vs. 2.4%, P<0.0001), fecal incontinence (0.4% vs. 0.2%, P<0.0001), and celiac disease (0.2% vs. 0%, P<0.0001). Some GI disorders were significantly lower in SSc patients, including cholelithiasis (1.6% vs. 2.1%, P<0.0001) and GI malignancies (1% vs. 2.2%, P<0.0001).ConclusionsOur results emphasize the established association between SSc and esophageal disorders, such as dysphagia and reflux disease. Our analysis indicated a significant positive association between SSc and celiac disease, and a negative association between SSC and cholelithiasis.