Gastrointestinal Imaging presents a comprehensive review of gastrointestinal pathologies commonly encountered by practicing radiologists and residents in training. Chapters are organized by organ system and include the Pharynx and Esophagus, Stomach, Small Bowel, Appendix, Colon, Anorectum, Liver, Gallbladder, Bile Ducts, Pancreas, Spleen, Peritoneum, Mesentery, and Abdominal Wall, and a chapter on multisystem disorders. Part of the Rotations in Radiology series, this book offers a guided approach to imaging diagnosis with examples of all imaging modalities complimented by the basics of interpretation and technique and the nuances necessary to arrive at the best diagnosis. Each pathology is covered with a targeted discussion that reviews the definition, clinical features, anatomy and physiology, imaging techniques, differential diagnosis, clinical issues, key points, and further reading. This organization is ideal for trainees' use during specific rotations and for exam review, or as a quick refresher for the established gastrointestinal imager.

This volume provides the most comprehensive coverage of clinical management of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer available. Authored by leaders in the field, the book focuses on current clinical management of this disease stage, the importance of multimodality treatment algorithms, and an interdisciplinary approach to care. Surgical chapters are well-illustrated to provide surgeons and surgical trainees with important technical pearls. Clinical trials and trial design are also discussed. Multimodality Management of Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer is a valuable resource for gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, general surgeons, and trainees interested in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Ikuo Hirano, an international leader and pioneer in EoE, has assembled well-recognized experts in the field to provide a state-of-the-art, practical understanding of EoE for both children and adults in 2014. Topics you will find in this issue of Gastroenterology Clinics of North America include the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of EoE as well as a glimpse into what the future holds. In addition, articles dedicated to mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and complications complete this comprehensive assessment of the field at present.The Editors believe that this issue will enhance your understanding of EoE.

Dr Roy Soetikno and Dr Tonya Kaltenbach are the editors for this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America, which is devoted to the improved detection and management of early neoplasia in inflammatory bowel disease. An important aspect of Dr Soetikno's outstanding career has been the bridging of endoscopic methods between Japan and the United States. Endoscopists in Japan have a better record of detecting subtle flat GI lesions. From the earliest days of endoscopy, it is fair to say that Japanese endoscopists have emphasized visual identification, analysis, and photo documentation of small GI lesions. The colon has been no exception. Dr Soetikno has incorporated these techniques, which have become increasingly feasible with steady improvement in modern digital endoscopes. Identifying small flat premalignant lesions and early cancers in patients with colitis can be lifesaving. Dr Soetikno and Dr Kaltenbach have edited an extraordinary issue of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America devoted to teaching and promulgating these methods, including an extensive photo atlas, which should be an invaluable resource for all academic specialists and practicing gastroenterologists.

Autoimmune Liver Diseases summarizes the recent high-impact research and clinical findings obtained in Japan in the study and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases. Although these disorders are relatively rare, they are recognized as an important group of refractory liver diseases, the most common of which are autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The book therefore comprises two major sections, one dealing with AIH, the other with PBC. AIH in Japanese patients creates a unique disease population, as its clinical features are different from those of Western patients resulting from the different genetic background of the two patient populations. Also, mouse models of neonatal thymectomy-PD-1 knockout mice, clinical analyses of acute hepatitis-like manifestations, and research findings on IgG4-related autoimmune hepatitis have been reported in Japan and are included in this book. A disease-susceptibility gene specific to Japanese PBC patients has also recently been discovered. Because of the relatively homogeneous population of Japan, analyses conducted with Japanese PBC patients have yielded findings that are highly relevant to the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, new pathological staging criteria, anti-gp210 antibodies and the basis they provide for improved accuracy of prognosis, treatment with bezafibrate, and the outcomes of living-donor liver transplantation are also presented here. This volume therefore serves as a useful resource not only for hepatologists, but also for researchers, clinical residents, and medical students both in Japan and in other countries.

This issue provides important updates on the management of disorders of the anorectum and pelvic floor. Expert authors provide information on hemorrhoidal issues, anorectal anatomy and imaging techniques, fissure and anal stenosis, rectal prolapse, and anal abscess and fistula. Other articles are devoted to sexually transmitted and infectious diseases, treatment of radiation proctitis, and pruiritis ani. Readers will come away with a full understanding of the current strategies for diagnosis and management of these disorders.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common cause of inherited colorectal cancer, a disease with a high mortality rate. An estimated 37,000 of diagnosed colorectal cancer cases worldwide are attributed to Lynch syndrome each year. Intensive cancer screening, with early initiation and frequent follow-up, can reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in LS patients. This book provides an up-to-date overview on the genetic and epigenetic basis of Lynch syndrome. It evaluates clinical features of the disease and critically comments on molecular tools available for identifying mutations responsible for Lynch syndrome; in addition the importance of functional assays that can help clarify the clinical nature of identified mutations is also discussed. The book also focuses on challenges in genetic counselling of at-risk individuals and discusses related ethical issues. The purpose of the book is to give a concise knowledge base for the broader scientific and medical community, including genetic counselors, in order to improve awareness on the potential impact that the diagnosis of LS has on treatment, management and surveillance of LS patients.

T. Hara, I. Kimura, D. Inoue, A. Ichimura, and A. Hirasawa: Free fatty acid receptors and their role in regulation of energy metabolism. B. Nilius and G. Appendino. Spices: the savory and healthy science of pungency.

This issue of Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, guest edited by Seymour Katz, MD, is devoted to Gastroenterology. Articles in this outstanding issue include Constipation: Understanding Mechanisms and Management; Vaccination status/Prophylaxis with GI Diseases; Reflux and Acid Peptic Diseases in Elderly; Anorectal Physiology/Pathophysiology in Elderly; Endoscopic Challenges; Colorectal Cancer of Elderly; Pancreatic Disease; GI Drug Interactions; Microscopic/Collagenous Colitis; Hepatitis B and C; IBD of the Elderly; Imaging Techniques in GI Diseases of Elderly; Dysphagia/Swallowing disorders of Elderly; and Clostridium difficile infection in the elderly.

Dr. Freeman has organized his issue address the continuum between acute and chronic pancreatitis, necrosis and pseudocysts, and the expanding role of endoscopic diagnosis and therapy. As a result, there are comprehensive articles devoted to: Role of EUS in the diagnosis of acute and chronic pancreatitis; ERCP for acute biliary pancreatitis;Prevention of post ERCP pancreatitis; Endoscopic therapy of necrotizing pancreatitis and pseudocysts; Endoscopic therapy for acute recurrent pancreatitis; Endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis; ERCP for biliary strictures associated with chronic pancreatitis; EUS for pancreatic ductal access and drainage; Endoscopic therapy for pancreatic duct leaks and disruptions; autoimmune pancreatitis; role of endoscopy in diagnosis and treatment; and Palliation of pancreatic ductal obstruction in pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Kahi has assembled top experts to provide clinically focused articles on colonoscopy and polypectomy. The issue is divided into sections devote to Technique Fundamentals, Advances in Technique, Technology, Neoplasia Detection, Quality and Outcomes, and The Future. Everyone from early-career gastroenteorlogists to those late in their career should find this edition to be very valuable.

This issue should serve as a primer to endoscopists who are seeking state-of-the-art clinical guidance on endoscopic ultrasound tissue acquisition. Authors address the changing paradigm in EUS-guided tissue acquisition and when does the oncologist require core tissue? Articles offer a comprehensive look at the core topics, including definitions in tissue acquisition, selection of FNA needles, and techniques for EUS-guides FNA and FNB. Expert authors also give their recommendations for overcoming technical challenges in EUS-guided tissue acquisition and what the pitfalls are. Readers will have a full understanding of EUS-guided tissue acquisition as well as the future directions.

This issue presents a concise clinical overview on the most current knowledge on advanced imaging modalities. Dr. Ananadasabapathy has secured internationally recognized authors to write articles on endomicoscopy, molecular imagaing, optical coherence tomography, and chromoendoscopy. Articles are also devoted to imaging the biliary tree and red flag technologies in gastric neoplasia.

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although the incidence of gastric cancer has declined over the past century in the United States, it remains one of the most common gastrointestinal neoplasms, particularly in immigrants and the socio-economically deprived. Recent years have seen major advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of gastric cancer (especially regarding the importance of Helicobacter pylori and its associated inflammatory response) and the emergence of adjuvant oncologic therapies of proven benefit for advanced cases, in addition to surgery. As for gastric adenocarcinoma, elucidation of the underlying biology and molecular pathogenesis has led to much progress in the management of two other malignant gastric neoplasms, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and marginal zone B-cell ("MALT?) lymphomas. This monograph highlights these developments, presenting an updated overview of gastric cancer that will be of interest to all practicing gastroenterologists.

Anesthetic Viewpoints in Laparoscopic Liver Resection Intraoperative Bleeding Control during Laparoscopic Liver Resections Initiating Laparoscopic Hepatectomy in Low Volume Centre Role of ICG in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy Minimal Invasive Treatment for Colorectal Liver Metastases Minimally Invasive Surgery in Gallbladder Carcinoma Changing Trends in Minimal Invasive Pancreatic Surgery Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Initiating Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy Minimally Invasive Approach to Chronic Pancreatitis

Dr. Levy is a key leader in the field of hepatology, and she has enlisted authors who are top experts in their fields to submit state-of-the-art clinical reviews on cholestatic liver diseases. Articles are devoted to genetic determinants of cholestasis, nuclear receptors as drug targets, drug-induced cholestasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, therapeutic advances in primary biliary cirrhosis, overlap syndromes, autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, secondary sclerosing cholangitis, Focus is also on familial cholestasis, allagile syndrome and other hereditary causes of cholestasis, Systemic causes of cholestasis, advances in pathogenesis and treatment of pruritus, care of the cholestatic patient, and transplantation for cholestatic diseases . Readers will come away with a full overview of the diagnosis and treatment of cholestatic liver diseases.

Dr. Pockros has created a clinically focused issue based on the CONO 2012 meeting, whereby he was able to have those presenters write articles for his issue. Therefore, the content for HCV in this issue reflects the most current knowledge. The issue is focused on basic/current information, current therapy and special populations, triple and quad combination therapies in development, and an article on second generation protease inhibitors.? The reader can expect that this issue will provide thorough clinical reviews on the most current therapeutic options for HCV.

Dr. Van Dam is one of key leaders in the field of diagnostic endoscopy, and he has enlisted authors who are top experts in their fields to submit state-of-the-art clinical reviews on endoscopy and biliary tract disease. Articles are devoted to infections, choledoscopy, common bile duct stones, benign and malignant bile duct strictures, motility disorders, and EUS access and drainage of the common bile duct. Attention is also given to patients with bile duct injury, congenital anomalies, and to liver transplant patients. Readers will come away with a?full overview of endoscopy and the patient with biliary tract disease.

Esophageal diseases are amongst the most common gastrointestinal illnesses encountered by both the gastroenterologist as well as the primary care physician. Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms affect 20% of adult Americans on a weekly or more frequent basis, and Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous lesion of the distal esophagus associated with chronic GERD, is prevalent in 2-6% of the adult population. Additionally, there have been remarkable advances in the care of esophageal diseases in the last several years, with the development of new imaging modalities, new physiological tests, and promising data emerging with respect to biomarkers for esophageal neoplasia. A relatively new clinical entity, eosinophilic esophagitis, is being characterized in the literature, and the ubiquity of this condition is now recognized. Given the dynamic nature of this area, the strides being made in esophageal diseases, and the importance of these diseases to clinicians practicing both subspecialty and general medicine, a volume dedicated to esophageal diseases is timely and necessary. The goals of this work are to familiarize clinicians with advances in care of patients with esophageal disorders, and to update them on new trends in epidemiology and outcomes of these diseases.

Today a number of gastrointestinal disorders that once required open surgical or percutaneous management are being managed with endolumenal therapies. This has led to an evolution of minimally invasive endolumenal approaches to many disorders. This issue reviews the progress made in the application of endolumenal therapies and not only discuss current applications but future efforts and directions for clinical investigation. Articles will focus on the scope of the problem, past management options, new endolumenal options, investigations with endolumenal therapy, current status (clinical trial results if available), and future directions.

Dr. Hammer has assembled an international list of authors who fully update the topic of chronic diarrhea, from examining the causes of diarrhea (and the appropriate treatments) to various diagnostic tools. Among the topics covered are bacterial flora as a cause or treatment, the value of fecal analysis in the evaluation, circulating secretagogues, functional diarrhea, celiac disease, chronic inflammatory diseases, diarrhea as a symptom of food intolerance, immunosuppression and immune-deficiency, and chronic diarrhea in the developing world.

A very hot topic at the 2010 AASLD meeting, hepatic encephalopathy is being brought to the Clinics in Liver Disease for the very first time by top experts, Dr. Mullen and Dr. Prakash. Authors have written articles that fully discuss the clinical aspects of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Articles presented include History, Nomenclature and Classification; Theories involved in the pathogenesis of HE; Clinical Assessment and utility of clinical scales for semi-quantification of Overt HE;? Assessment of Minimal HE
( with emphasis on computerized psychometric tests); Brain Imaging and HE; Management of Overt HE; Management of Minimal HE; Nutritional Interventions for HE; TIPS and HE; Liver Transplantation and Reversibility of HE; Minimal HE and Driving; and HE and Quality of Life.

The authors in this issue will provide state-of-the-art reviews on the use of probiotics in care of the gastroenterologic system. Articles are devoted to probiotics as treatment for IBD, chronic diarrhea, C. difficile colitis, functional bowel disease, allergic disorders, necrotizing enterocolitis, and obesity. Other articles examine the safety of probiotics, fecal biotherapy, and molecular assessment of intestinal microflora.