Syndrome Colon Research Articles

Quantification of eosinophils in the lower gastrointestinal tract of adults: a review of surgical specimens with normal histology from the Free State province, South Africa.

Eosinophils are normal residents of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). They are noted in small numbers with significant variation between anatomic locations. An idiopathic increase of eosinophils is known as eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID). EGIDs are a heterologous group of disorders that produce a range of enteric and colonic syndromes. Their incidence has been increasing worldwide. Our study aimed to quantify eosinophils in each segment of the GIT in surgical specimens with normal histology to facilitate the histological diagnosis of EGID. Similarly, we aimed to describe the effect of race and gender on gastrointestinal eosinophil numbers. A retrospective, quantitative comparative study was performed. We assessed 360 surgical specimens with normal histology from the lower gastrointestinal tract of African and Caucasian adults from the Free State Province, South Africa. The number of eosinophils per mm² was counted. Overall, comparable eosinophil values were noted for both males and females, and African and Caucasian South Africans. However, Caucasians recorded a higher concentration of eosinophils in the appendix and the left colon. Eosinophils were most numerous in the lamina propria, with only small numbers present in the epithelium. Our results show that the South African population has similar eosinophil distribution trends to international studies. However, South Africans had far fewer eosinophils than Japanese and North American adults in each segment. Specific eosinophil reference ranges were formulated to quantify reference ranges of eosinophils in the lower GIT, allowing for the accurate diagnosis of EGIDs in our population in future.

The prevalence of colorectal polyps in patients with gastric cancer.

549 Background: Gastric polyps are found frequently in various colonic polyposis syndromes. Genetic alterations of several genes occur in gastric adenomas and colorectal adenomas. However, it is unknown whether patients with gastric cancers are at higher risk for colorectal adenomas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 112 patients with gastric cancers from January 2005 to December 2009. Patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancers and had colonoscopy within 6 months were compared to 220 sex and age-matched controls from 3,725 persons who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for screening at the Center for Health Promotion in Ewha Womans University Medical Center. High risk polyp was defined by any of the following: (1) the presence of three or more polyps; (2) polyp size at least 10mm; (3) high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma confirmed by histopathologic examination. Otherwise the polyps were defined as low risk. Results: Mean age was 59 years-old and 70% was male in patients with gastric cancer. Overweight (BMI ≥ 23) was more common in control group (gastric cancer versus control: 56% and 69%, respectively, P = 0.025). Colorectal polyps were identified in 67 of 112 patients (59.8%) with gastric cancer and in 153 of 220 controls (69.5%). The prevalence of high risk polyps were numerically higher in the gastric cancer group than the control group, although not statistically significant (9% vs. 4%, P = 0.267). In contrast, the prevalence of low risk polyps were significantly frequent in the control group (91% vs. 96%, P = 0.024). The mean size and number of colorectal polyps were not different between the two groups. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed from polyps in five patients (7%) with gastric cancer and four patients (2%) with control group (P = 0.190). Conclusions: The overall colorectal polyps, especially low risk polyps, were more prevalent in the control group. In contrast, high risk polyps and adenocarcinoma is more frequently found in patients with gastric cancer although not significant. Therefore, we suggest that colorectal polyps should be cautiously examined in patients with gastric cancer.

Colonic polyposis syndromes—An experience from a tertiary centre in South India

Several polyposis syndromes of the gastrointestinal tract have been recognized which carry increased risk for cancer and have a genetic predisposition. There is a paucity of literature regarding the occurrence and the burden of colonic polyposis syndromes in the Indian subcontinent. This study attempts to highlight this hitherto unaddressed burden and the associated increased risk for inherited colonic cancer in this geographical location. A retrospective study of various colonic polyposis syndromes encountered at a tertiary centre in South India over a period of 8 years (2005 to 2012) was performed. The diagnosis in each case was made histologically with clinicopathological correlation. Fifty cases were identified as belonging to a colonic polyposis syndrome, during the study period. There were 27 males and 23 females with a median age of 36.5 years (range 19 months to 78 years). The commonest syndrome was familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 27; 54 %) followed by Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (n = 11), attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 7), juvenile polyposis syndrome (n = 3), hyperplasic polyposis syndrome (n = 1) and Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (n = 1). Colonic malignancy was documented at first presentation in 22 patients (44 %). Our study highlights the various colonic polyposis syndromes encountered in a tertiary care institution in Southern India.

Cholinergic modulation of sensory neuronal function and selective expression of the muscarinic receptor subtypes on nociceptive lumbo-sacral sensory neurons: Implications for the treatment of colonic pain syndromes

Cholinergic modulation of sensory neuronal function and selective expression of the muscarinic receptor subtypes on nociceptive lumbo-sacral sensory neurons: Implications for the treatment of colonic pain syndromes

In vitro studies on heritable colonic cancer.

Some properties of in vitro growth associated with transformation, varied between and within the clinically defined colonic cancer syndromes. None of these differences, nor any grouping of them, permitted identification of specific genotypes. Such differences did support the concept, long assumed on the basis of differences in extracolonic lesions in some colonic cancer syndromes, that they are not all due to the same mutation but represent distinct genetic entities, these genetic differences not being detectable in vivo, but rather in vitro.

Das Gardner-Syndrom

An exact history was taken and clinical, endoscopic and histologic studies were performed in 14 family members of a case of Gardner's syndrome with triple symptomatology documented with biopsy and autopsy findings. Among the symptom-free probands five cases of colonic polyposis and three cases with gastric polyps were found. All polyps were histologically adenomatous. Dysplasias grade I and II were found repeatedly, in one 16-year-old adolescent there was already severe dysplasia within the gastric mucosal polyps. A warning is given against sub-classification of familial colonic polyposis and other syndromes within the definition of Gardner's syndrome. In future during diagnostic investigations for cases of Gardner's syndrome isolated gastric polyposis should be sought for as well as monosymptomatic colonic polyposis. Diagnostic procedures and treatment should depend on endoscopic and histological findings. Regular follow-up with endoscopic biopsies are to be encouraged not only in the diseased cases but also in all family members available.