This open access book deals with imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, an area that has seen considerable advances over the past several years, driven by clinical as well as technological developments. The respective chapters, written by internationally respected experts in their fields, focus on imaging diagnosis and interventional therapies in abdominal and pelvic disease; they cover all relevant imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. As such, the book offers a comprehensive review of the state of the art in imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. It will be of interest to general radiologists, radiology residents, interventional radiologists, and clinicians from other specialties who want to update their knowledge in this area.

Three distinct types of contractions perform colonic motility functions. Rhythmic phasic contractions (RPCs) cause slow net distal propulsion with extensive mixing/turning over. Infrequently occurring giant migrating contractions (GMCs) produce mass movements. Tonic contractions aid RPCs in their motor function. The spatiotemporal patterns of these contractions differ markedly. The amplitude and distance of propagation of a GMC are several-fold larger than those of an RPC. The enteric neurons and smooth muscle cells are the core regulators of all three types of contractions. The regulation of contractions by these mechanisms is modifiable by extrinsic factors: CNS, autonomic neurons, hormones, inflammatory mediators, and stress mediators. Only the GMCs produce descending inhibition, which accommodates the large bolus being propelled without increasing muscle tone. The strong compression of the colon wall generates afferent signals that are below nociceptive threshold in healthy subjects. However, these signals become nociceptive; if the amplitudes of GMCs increase, afferent nerves become hypersensitive, or descending inhibition is impaired. The GMCs also provide the force for rapid propulsion of feces and descending inhibition to relax the internal anal sphincter during defecation. The dysregulation of GMCs is a major factor in colonic motility disorders: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diverticular disease (DD). Frequent mass movements by GMCs cause diarrhea in diarrhea predominant IBS, IBD, and DD, while a decrease in the frequency of GMCs causes constipation. The GMCs generate the afferent signals for intermittent short-lived episodes of abdominal cramping in these disorders. Epigenetic dysregulation due to adverse events in early life is one of the major factors in generating the symptoms of IBS in adulthood.

This new edition is a unique combined resource for physicians and scientists addressing the needs of both groups. In addition to stimulating exchange and collaboration and shortening the path between discovery and application of new knowledge, the book helps clinicians understand new therapeutic concepts from their origins. The volume serves as a comprehensive guide to the current diagnostic modalities, including enhanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT enterography, virtual colonoscopy, ultrasound, and endomicroscopy, as well as conventional and complex immunomodulatory principles. The latest edition also includes revised chapters from the previous edition, as well as new chapters reflecting current developments in the field. Written by experts in their field, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: From Epidemiology and Immunobiology to a Rational Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach, Second Edition is of great value to gastroenterologists, surgeons, internists, pediatricians and gynecologists trainees, as well as all those involved in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and related autoimmune disorders.

THE ESSENTIAL WORK IN TRAVEL MEDICINE -- NOW COMPLETELY UPDATED FOR 2018 As unprecedented numbers of travelers cross international borders each day, the need for up-to-date, practical information about the health challenges posed by travel has never been greater. For both international travelers and the health professionals who care for them, the CDC Yellow Book 2018: Health Information for International Travel is the definitive guide to staying safe and healthy anywhere in the world. The fully revised and updated 2018 edition codifies the U.S. government's most current health guidelines and information for international travelers, including pretravel vaccine recommendations, destination-specific health advice, and easy-to-reference maps, tables, and charts. The 2018 Yellow Book also addresses the needs of specific types of travelers, with dedicated sections on: · Precautions for pregnant travelers, immunocompromised travelers, and travelers with disabilities · Special considerations for newly arrived adoptees, immigrants, and refugees · Practical tips for last-minute or resource-limited travelers · Advice for air crews, humanitarian workers, missionaries, and others who provide care and support overseas Authored by a team of the world's most esteemed travel medicine experts, the Yellow Book is an essential resource for travelers -- and the clinicians overseeing their care -- at home and abroad.

Provide evidence-based perspectives on all clinically relevant topics, explaining step by step how to apply the latest advances in practice. Succinct yet comprehensive discussions provide just the right amount of clinical detail. Plus, a consistent organization and full-color art program enable you to quickly and easily access needed information. Offers more than 1,000 illustrations, photographs, and tables (400 in full color) that promote a visual grasp of the material. Presents coverage of the hottest topics in today's practice, including GERD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, ulcerative colitis, and Barretts esophagus, as well as the psychosocial aspects of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Features four new chapters covering complimentary and alternative medicine palliative care gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and eosinophilic disorders, plus expanded information on obesity and nutrition.

"Prior to the development of the first fibre-optic endoscopes in the 1960's, gastroenterology, in common with other traditional medical specialties, relied on biochemical and radiological techniques in order to investigate the gastrointestinal tract. Histological confirmation of a disease process usually required the presence of a surgeon, was invasive, and carried inherent risks. Because of a rapid improvement in technology, we are now able to sample the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth and anus through to the ileal / jejunal junction"--