ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): Who needs it and who doesn’t?

ERCP is essentially a therapeutic procedure for the management of mainly biliary and to a lesser extent pancreatic disorders. ERCP mostly involves a sphincterotomy ( a cut ) to open the duodenal ampulla to remove stones from the bile duct, stenting of bile duct to relieve obstruction from inoperable cholangiocarcinoma , pancreatic cancer or metastatic tumour, removal of pancreatic duct stone, obtain brush cytology from probable malignant stricture of the bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting following sphincterotomy for type 2 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
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Early diagnosis for and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and Polyps

We have a barrage of tests such as faecal occult blood(FOB), faecalDNA, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and virtual CT colonography (CTC) to address the possibility of significant colorectal neoplasia. Where do these tests fit and when should these be used individually or in combination? Before we can address this question, we need to understand the demographics of CRC. Vast majority (65-85%) of CRC occur in people who have no family history and they are referred to as average risk category patients. Some 10-30% of CRC occur in patients who have a family history of CRC and they are referred to as moderate risk category. Remaining 5-6% of CRC occur in high risk patients such as those with non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC) and rarely in adenoma- tous polyposis coli or similar rare syndromes.
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Hereditary Haemochromatosis:Diagnosis and Management

Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) is a common autosomal recessive disorder occurring at a frequency of 1 in 200-250 among Anglo-Celtic Caucasian population in Australia. Most general practices, depending on the size, will have few to several of these patients . Most patients present with abnormal iron studies and or elevated liver tests and some with family history and can be managed at the general practice .
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Helicobacter Pylori (HP) Eradication: 2012 Update

Helicobacter Pylori (HP) eradication continues to pose some challenges as “standard” treatment fails. Treatment failure is said to be due to resistance of HP to the antibiotics used in this regimen. Before we examine the advances in treatment options, let us briefly review treatment indications. The prevalence of HP infection in the Australian community is approximately 20% or less. Only a small minority of the infected population get symptoms. Also we need to be cognizant of the probable beneficial effect of HP in reflux oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus, asthma, atopic diseases and side effects of eradication therapy.
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An Approach to the Management of Constipation

Prevalence of constipation is reported to be 20%. In the U.S.A, $800 million are spent yearly on laxatives. Constipation in the U.S.A account for 20,000 hospitaliza- tions and 2.5 million out-patient consultations per year. Definitions: Stool frequency 2 or less per week, straining, hard stools and a feel- ing of incomplete evacuation are all features used by the Rome consensus criteria to define constipation.
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Colorectal Cancers (CRC): Risk Factors and Protective Factors: What’s Myth & What’s N

This article will specifically focus on well known and not so well known risk factors for the development of CRC and adenomas. Also, since we live in an era when substantial misinformation is apparently legally disseminated in the field of preventive medicine by various stake holders, it is appropriate to identify protective factors scientifically proven to work towards prevention of CRC and adenomas. Colorectal cancers (CRC) are the 3rd largest cause of death in Australia after cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. Over 3,800 patients died of CRC in Australia in 2006.
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Rising Incidence of Oesophageal Cancer: Risk factors & Management

Five year survival of oesophageal cancers is approximately 10% globally. Early cancers are operable. Of the two types of oesophageal cancers we see, incidence of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is declining while there is progressive rise of the incidence of the adenocarcinoma (AC) of the oesophagus. This article focuses on the identification of at risk individuals.
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Early diagnosis for and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer( CRC) and Polyps

We have a barrage of tests such as faecal occult blood (FOB), faecal DNA, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and virtual CT colonography (CTC) to address the possibility of significant colorectal neoplasia. Where do these tests fit and when should these be used individually or in combination? Before we can address this question, we need to understand the demographics of CRC. Vast majority (65-85%) of CRC occur in people who have no family history and they are referred to as average risk category patients.
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