Digestive System
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Methotrexate, same as Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine, is NOT recommended for inducing remission , but to maintain remission. It can take up to 12 weeks to work However, these immunomodulators should be started earlier when patient is responding to first line treatment, in order to maintain remission and prevent flareups,  especially those with extensive disease or other poor prognostic features (early age at diagnosis, penetrating or stricturing disease, neeed for steroid, high CRP, smoker) should be considered for early introduction of biological therapy (dual biologic plus immunomodulator)

Active Crohn’s first line of treatment is an 8-week course of systemic corticosteroids to induce remission. Budesonide can be used  in mild-moderate case of ileal crohns, but should be escalated to systemic treatment if patient does not response.

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition (EEN) may be used to induce remission in mild to moderate Crohn’s disease patients where avoidance of corticosteroid is desired, and in those who are motivated to adhere strictly to EEN for up to 8 weeks. As this is a young male, this could be a possibility that may be worth exploring with paediatricians , dietitian and surgical team involvement. Howwever the fact that CRP is so high makes this case not  the ideal  candidate as he is already presenting systemic inflammation and there should be a good window of time needed  for this diet to work.

See BSG IBD guidelines 

Many chronic pancreatitis causing biliary stricture are asymptomatic or associate minimal changes in liver blood tests particularly ALP. In order to call cholestasis we have to see an increase in of usually >3 times ULN of alkaline phosphate (this is about >350-400 U/L)  As long as it does not cause significant cholestasis or cholangitis, there is no indication of biliary draining. IF they associate biliary stones , episodes of repeating infection or biliary pain (his pain seems more due to chronic pancreatitis) then it is justifed to drain the biliary tree.

Despite some increases in ALP, Conservative management with close monitoring is still adequate in this case, as well as recommend complete alcohol abstinence. If his bloods worsen or the bile dilation progresses during the next months, ERCP could be dicussed in a multidisciplinary meeting (risk of stenosis progression and cholestasis vs risk of ERCP adverse events)

ALD is the most common diagnose on referral for liver transplant in men but the second for women after MASLD.  MASLD is the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplant worldwide.

GERD is a well known risk factor for adenocarcinoma of esophagus, but not for squamous cell carcinoma.

Risk factors for SCC are low socioeconomic status, consumption of tobacco, alcohol, hot beverages, and nitrosamines (e.g cured or smoked) . Additionally, micronutrient deficiencies have also been linked to the development of esophageal squamous cell cancer. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare condition characterized by the classic triad of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia, and esophageal webbing.  Approximately 10% of patient can develop SCC.

Remember Achalasia as other importart pathology in which there is an increased risk of esophageal cancer, particularly SCC

Kudo II (asteroid or stellate pits) which are star or cross-shaped.  This is very typical of hyperplastic polyps (non neoplastic)  or serrated lesions.

based on the American Association for the study of liver diseases  guidelines

Synthetic liver function test include Albumin and clotting.
High bilirubin is part of the definition of liver impaired function

ALT is a marker of liver damage or insult, but does not relate to how well the liver is functioning.

This image  impedance pH study showing a proximal then distal increase in impedance with air clearing from the esophagus orally. Arrows indicate direction of air flow down and then up. This is supragastric Belching. (B) High-resolution manometry showing repetitive supragastic belching with upper esophageal sphincter opening then air propagating through the esophagus, contraction of diaphragm with aborad (away from the mouth) movement of lower esophageal sphincter.   The treatment for this is behavioural therapy and adding central neuromodulators in cases of linked psychological disorders

Calcium channel inhibitors and other antispasmodic therapy has been used for spastic disorders such as diffuse oesophageal spasm and nutcracker (hypercontractile) oesophagus.

POEM and Hellers myotomy are well known treatments for Achalasia.

EGJOO(Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction )  can respond well to balloon dilation or botox (63-70%, although POEM is not commonly used it has been described very effective)

The lower cutoff for FIB 4   >1.3.  Less than 1.3 rules out advanced fibrosis, and >1.3 needs further investigations.

In elderly patients (>65 yo) this threlsholds has low especificity (many false positive patients who do not really have advanced fibrosis) therefore the cutoff proposed in those is 2 (Fib 4 <2 rules out significant fibrosis)

>2.67 is the upper threshold for advanced fibrosis. Patients scoring this have high chance of advance fibrosis and should be referred to liver clinic

This is likely a lower GI bleed, however, the fact that is so abrupt and has caused   haemorrhagic shock makes us wonder if he is not having a severe upper GI bleed – frail patient taking clopidogrel - Severe upper GI bleed sometimes can be so brisk and profuse that blood travels the intestine fast wihtout being digested, so patient passes per rectum red bright blood instead of black melaena. (Blood is laxative too) As many as 10–15% of patients suspected initially to have lower GI bleed are ultimately found to have an UGI source.

Once OGD is done and clear, the next step should be depending on the clinical and hemodinamic status. Either prepare the patient for colonoscopy/ video capsule (If clinically stable)  or repeat CT angio (If clinically worse)-->If bleeding point is located and there is no access to IR (interventional radiology) the surgeons may want to proceed with exploration and colectomy but this is the last resource as obviously this is an elderly patient with cardiovascular factors (Clopidogrel) whose surgery would be high risk of mortality and morbidity.