Patients that do not respond satisfactorily to standard proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment have become the most common presentation of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in third referral gastrointestinal practices. The causes of refractory GERD include lack of compliance with treatment, residual acid reflux and weakly acidic reflux, esophageal hypersensitivity and persistent symptoms not associated with reflux. A role for weakly acidic reflux in symptom generation has been proposed since the availability of impedance-pH monitoring. The possible mechanisms by which persistent weakly acidic reflux might contribute to persistent symptoms in patients under PPI treatment may include esophageal distension by increased reflux volume, persistent impaired mucosal integrity (ie, dilation of intercellular spaces) and/or esophageal hypersensitivity to weakly acidic reflux events. To establish a definite role of weakly acidic reflux in refractory GERD, outcome studies targeting this type of reflux are still lacking. Treatment strategies to reduce the number or effect of weakly acidic reflux could involve drugs that decrease transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (ie, baclofen or similar), improve oesophageal mucosa resistance or visceral pain modulators. Finally, anti-reflux surgery can be considered, only if a clear symptom-weakly acidic reflux association was demonstrated.
Baclofen ; Compliance ; Dust ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Mucous Membrane ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps ; Protons ; Referral and Consultation ; Relaxation ; Visceral Pain

Swallowing induces an inhibitory wave that is followed by a contractile wave along the esophageal body. Deglutitive inhibition in the skeletal muscle of the esophagus is controlled in the brain stem whilst in the smooth muscle, an intrinsic peripheral control mechanism is critical. The latency between swallow and contractions is determined by the pattern of activation of the inhibitory and excitatory vagal pathways, the regional gradients of inhibitory and excitatory myenteric nerves, and the intrinsic properties of the smooth muscle. A wave of inhibition precedes a swallow-induced peristaltic contraction in the smooth muscle part of the human oesophagus involving both circular and longitudinal muscles in a peristaltic fashion. Deglutitive inhibition is necessary for drinking liquids which requires multiple rapid swallows (MRS). During MRS the esophageal body remains inhibited until the last of the series of swallows and then a peristaltic contraction wave follows. A normal response to MRS requires indemnity of both inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms and esophageal muscle. MRS has recently been used to assess deglutitive inhibition in patients with esophageal motor disorders. Examples with impairment of deglutitive inhibition are achalasia of the LES and diffuse esophageal spasm.
Brain Stem ; Contracts ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drinking ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscles ; Swallows

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Supragastric belching (SGB) is a phenomenon during which air is sucked into the esophagus and then rapidly expelled through the mouth. Patients often complain of severely impaired quality of life. Our objective was to establish the prevalence of excessive SGB within a high-volume gastrointestinal physiology unit, and evaluate its association with symptoms, esophageal motility and gastresophageal reflux disease. METHODS: We established normal values for SGB by analyzing 24-hour pH-impedance in 40 healthy asymptomatic volunteers. We searched 2950 consecutive patient reports from our upper GI Physiology Unit (from 2010-2013) for SGB. Symptoms were recorded by a standardized questionnaire evaluating for reflux, dysphagia, and dyspepsia symptoms. We reviewed the predominant symptoms, 24-hour pH-impedance and high-resolution esophageal manometry results. RESULTS: Excessive SGB was defined as > 13 per 24 hours. We identified 100 patients with excessive SGB. Ninety-five percent of these patients suffered from typical reflux symptoms, 86% reported excessive belching, and 65% reported dysphagia. Forty-one percent of patients with excessive SGB had pathological acid reflux. Compared to the patients with normal acid exposure these patients trended towards a higher number of SGB episodes. Forty-four percent of patients had esophageal hypomotility. Patients with hypomotility had a significantly higher frequency of SGB compared to those with normal motility (118.3 +/- 106.1 vs 80.6 +/- 75.7, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Increased belching is rarely a symptom in isolation. Pathological acid exposure and hypomotility are associated with more SGB frequency. Whether SGB is a disordered response to other esophageal symptoms or their cause is unclear.
Deglutition Disorders ; Dyspepsia ; Electric Impedance ; Eructation* ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Manometry ; Mouth ; Physiology ; Prevalence* ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reference Values ; Volunteers

Objective: To assess the impact of periocular surgery, other than orbicularis stripping, on the severity and frequency of blepharospasm symptoms. Methods: Consecutive patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) who underwent eyelid/eyebrow surgery with the aim of improving symptoms were retrospectively reviewed over a 5-year period. Patients who had completed the Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS) and Blepharospasm Disability Index (BDI) pre- and at least 3 months postoperatively were included. Results: Twenty-four patients were included. JRS scores significantly improved from 7.0 preoperatively to 4.1 postoperatively (p < 0.001), and BDI scores significantly improved from 18.4 preoperatively to 12.7 postoperatively (p < 0.001); the mean percentage improvements were 41% and 30%, respectively. Patients were followed for a median of 24 months postoperatively. Conclusion Periocular surgery significantly reduced BEB symptoms in the majority (83%) of patients by an average of 33% and may therefore be offered for suitable patients. An important minority (17%) of patients experienced symptom worsening.

No abstract available.

As congenital hearing impairment has a worldwide incidence of 4 to 5 per 1000 babies and is thus one of the most common congenital problems seen today, universal newborn screening has a crucial role to play in its early detection and intervention. It provides the opportunity for better outcomes and normal language development. Prior to embarking on a screening programme, the newborn population and the current health care system should be analysed to select the best method of coverage. The screening tool and protocol, communication of results, as well as the follow-up measures should be clearly determined and tested. The multidisciplinary team required should be provided with the necessary information. Parents need to be educated about the importance of early hearing screening. Data management and surveillance should be established in a systematic manner. The costs of the programme should be carefully anticipated and funding sources determined. Finally, support for the programme should be sought from governmental or public health bodies, to ensure the success of the programme. Legislation can be considered if necessary.
Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; organization & administration ; Program Development

The development of the high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) and the Chicago classification have improved the diagnosis and management of esophageal motility disorders. However, some conditions have yet to be addressed by this classification. This review describes findings in HRM which are not included in the current Chicago classification based on the experience in our center. This includes the analysis of the upper esophageal sphincter, proximal esophagus, longitudinal muscle contraction, disorders related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory symptoms. The utility of provocative tests and the use of HRM in the evaluation of rumination syndrome and post-surgical patients will also be discussed. We believe that characterization of the manometric findings in these areas will eventually lead to incorporation of new criteria into the existing classification.
Chicago ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper ; Esophagus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Manometry ; Muscle Contraction

Objectives: To compare the maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with GDM diagnosed by Carpenter & Coustan (CC) criteria and by the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using data of women who were screened and diagnosed with GDM between April 2006-March 2007 using the CC criteria and April 2013-March 2014 using IADPSG criteria. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were noted. Means and proportions were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test for normally distributed data and Mann-Whitney U test for those that were not normally distributed. Pearson Chi-square test was used to find an association between the various outcomes between the two groups. Results: Among 500 pregnant women screened, 36 were diagnosed GDM in the CC group. In the IADPSG group, 733 women were screened and 167 were diagnosed GDM. Prevalence of GDM was 7.2% in CC group and 22.78% in IADPSG group (p=0.000). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of women who developed hypertension and polyhydramnios among the two groups. Women who had an operative vaginal delivery (16.67% vs. 6.6%, p=0.085) and mean birth weight (3.10±0.55 kg vs. 2.97±0.48 kg, p=0.165) were higher in CC group than the IADPSG group. Among the perinatal outcomes, a statistically significant improvement was found in the number of neonates developing respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.000) and hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.000), when the IADPSG criteria were used. Conclusion There is a statistically significant difference between the maternal and neonatal outcomes when the newer IADPSG criteria were used for diagnosis of GDM.
Diabetes, Gestational ; Prevalence

Unusual or prominent calcifications found on screening mammography may prompt additional radiologic and clinical work-up given the possible association with pre-malignant lesions, other high-risk lesions, or malignancies. Osseous metaplasia (OM) of the breast, also referred to as metaplastic ossification or heterotopic bone formation, is an uncommon finding that may present as radiographic calcification. There are isolated case reports of OM associated with benign or malignant tumors of the breast, as well as with a variety of nonneoplastic conditions. We report 2 cases of OM in the breast associated with a hemangioma and review the relevant literature. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of this association in the breast.

Objectives: To compare the maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with GDM diagnosed by Carpenter & Coustan (CC) criteria and by the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using data of women who were screened and diagnosed with GDM between April 2006-March 2007 using the CC criteria and April 2013-March 2014 using IADPSG criteria. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were noted. Means and proportions were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test for normally distributed data and Mann-Whitney U test for those that were not normally distributed. Pearson Chi-square test was used to find an association between the various outcomes between the two groups. Results: Among 500 pregnant women screened, 36 were diagnosed GDM in the CC group. In the IADPSG group, 733 women were screened and 167 were diagnosed GDM. Prevalence of GDM was 7.2% in CC group and 22.78% in IADPSG group (p=0.000). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of women who developed hypertension and polyhydramnios among the two groups. Women who had an operative vaginal delivery (16.67% vs. 6.6%, p=0.085) and mean birth weight (3.10±0.55 kg vs. 2.97±0.48 kg, p=0.165) were higher in CC group than the IADPSG group. Among the perinatal outcomes, a statistically significant improvement was found in the number of neonates developing respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.000) and hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.000), when the IADPSG criteria were used. Conclusion There is a statistically significant difference between the maternal and neonatal outcomes when the newer IADPSG criteria were used for diagnosis of GDM.
Human ; Female ; Adult ; Prevalence ; Diabetes Mellitus