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.

The Oxford Textbook of Medical Mycology is a comprehensive reference text which brings together the science and medicine of human fungal disease. Written by a leading group of international authors to bring a global expertise, it is divided into sections that deal with the principles of mycology, the organisms, a systems based approach to management, fungal disease in specific patient groups, diagnosis, and treatment. The detailed clinical chapters take account of recent international guidelines on the management of fungal disease. With chapters covering recent developments in taxonomy, fungal genetics and other 'omics', epidemiology, pathogenesis, and immunology, this textbook is well suited to aid both scientists and clinicians. The extensive illustrations, tables, and in-depth coverage of topics, including discussion of the non-infective aspects of allergic and toxin mediated fungal disease, are designed to aid the understanding of mechanisms and pathology, and extend the usual approach to fungal disease. This textbook is essential reading for microbiologists, research scientists, infectious diseases clinicians, respiratory physicians, and those managing immunocompromised patients. Part of the Oxford Textbook in Infectious Disease and Microbiology series, it is also a useful companion text for students and trainees looking to supplement mycology courses and microbiology training.

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.

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.

Nutritional support of people with gastrointestinal impairment is critical to treatment and ultimately successful management. As such, gastroenterologists should be experts in nutrition and knowledgeable about the affects of nutrition on disease management. Nutritional and Gastrointestinal Disease fulfills that need, serving as a hands-on, practical reference in nutrition support for the clinical gastroenterologist and other clinicians with similar interests. The volume offers expert nutritional knowledge and management ideas as well as methodology for combating problems such as short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and obesity. Renowned authorities also investigate nutrition’s influence on such issues as liver failure and acute pancreatitis. While gastroenterology training programs around the world remain deficient in their nutrition curriculum, Nutritional and Gastrointestinal Disease provides a comprehensive and groundbreaking support for clinical gastroenterologists.