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Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases. Even in the best hands, complications may occur. Clinically significant hemorrhagic complications associated usually to previous papillotomy are uncommon. Subcapsular hepatic hematoma is excepcional, with only twenty cases described. We present a case of a 52-year-old man who developed a large subcapsular liver hematoma following a therapeutic ERCP. Due to serious anemization and hemodynamic instability, arterial embolization and finally urgent surgical evacuation of the hematoma were performed. In the postoperative period the patient presented infection of the collection, which indicated colocation of percutaneous drainage and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, and gradually recovered.

In patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, identical symptoms may occur for many different reasons. This prospective study assessed whether experienced clinicians can predict accurately the underlying diagnosis or diagnoses contributing to specific symptoms based on the history and physical examination. Three clinicians assessed 47 patients referred for management of troublesome GI symptoms identified after treatment for cancer. Investigations were requested following our comprehensive, peer-reviewed algorithm. The clinicians then recorded their predictions as to the results of those investigations. After each patient had completed all their investigations, had received optimal management and had been discharged from the clinic, the predicted diagnoses were compared to those made. The clinicians predicted 92 diagnoses (1.9 per patient). After investigation, a total of 168 unique diagnoses were identified (3.5 per patient). Of the 92 predicted diagnoses, 41 (43%) matched the diagnosis. Of the 168 actual diagnoses identified, only 24% matched the prediction. None of the clinicians predicted the correct combination of diagnoses contributing to bowel symptoms. Clinical acumen alone is inadequate at determining cause for symptoms in patients with GI symptoms developing after cancer therapy.

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