Browse our news and publications or find information on upcoming events in Gastroenterology.
02/13/2013: Probiotic-Derived Treatment Offers New Hope for Premature Babies
Chemicals secreted by "good" bacteria that typically live in the intestines of babies could reduce the frequency and severity of a common and often-lethal disease of premature infants.
12/13/2012: Intestinal immune cells play an unexpected role in immune surveillance of the bloodstream
A type of immune cell found in the small intestine plays a previously unsuspected role in monitoring antigens circulating in the bloodstream. Disruption of the newly discovered regulatory system may lead to the development of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease or food allergies.
09/24/2012: Frequently asked questions: LINX® system
David Rattner, MD, chief of the Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery at the Mass General Digestive Healthcare Center, answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the LINX® Reflux Management System, a new treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
07/23/2012: Aspirin protects against Barrett's esophagus
Aspirin use appears to reduce the risk of Barrett's esophagus, the largest known risk factor for esophageal cancer.
07/16/2012: New Radiology and Endoscopy Techniques Are Improving Treatment of Pancreatic and Biliary Disorders
Patients seeking care for pancreatic and biliary system disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Digestive Healthcare Center receive the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic treatments from a collaborative team of experts, including gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, pathologists, medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and radiation therapists.
03/25/2012: Genetics of flu susceptibility
A genetic finding could help explain why influenza becomes a life-threating disease to some people while it has only mild effects in others.
11/23/2011: Sweet Relief
Dr. Ronald Kleinman, physician-in-chief of MassGeneral Hospital for Children and expert in pediatric nutrition, weighs in on whether chocolate milk should be offered as a recovery drink for student athletes.
07/19/2011: MGH ranks #2 in nation
MGH ranks #2 in 2011-2012 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" rankings
03/09/2011: Aspirin's ability to protect against colorectal cancer may depend on risk-associated inflammatory pathways
The reduced risk of colorectal cancer associated with taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be limited to individuals already at risk because of elevations in a specific inflammatory factor in the blood.
10/10/2010: Studies provide new insights into the genetics of obesity and fat distribution
An international consortium has made significant inroads into uncovering the genetic basis of obesity by identifying 18 new gene sites associated with overall obesity and 13 that affect fat distribution. The studies include data from nearly a quarter of a million participants, the largest genetic investigation of human traits to date.
07/16/2010: MGH residents and fellows make great save during soccer game
SPAIN MAY HAVE WON the World Cup, but a team of MGH medical residents and fellows had a victory of their own on the soccer field this summer when they helped save the life of another player.
03/31/2010: Colorectal Screening Saves Lives
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women nationwide. But, if detected early colorectal cancer is treatable and beatable.
01/19/2010: Is There a Link between Autism and the Gut?
Autism spectrum disorders and gastrointestinal woes: A discussion with Dr. Timothy Buie, pediatric gastroenterologist at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
01/08/2010: Ramnik Xavier, MD, named chief of Gastroenterology Division
MGH Hotline 01.08.09 Ramnik Xavier, MD, has assumed the position of chief of the Gastroenterology Division beginning Jan. 1.
01/07/2010: Barrett's esophagus: aggressive treatment helps prevent progression to cancer
Physicians can help stem the rising incidence of gastroesophageal cancers by aggressively treating patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus.
12/17/2009: Scientists discover natural flu-fighting protein in human cells
Researchers have identified a small family of flu-fighting proteins that somehow increases natural resistance to viral infection. The proteins block most virus particles from infecting the cell at the earliest stage in the virus lifecycle.
08/11/2009: Postdiagnosis aspirin use reduces risk of dying from colorectal cancer
Regular use of aspirin after colorectal cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of cancer death, report investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
06/29/2009: Incision-free gallbladder surgery
On May 20 David Rattner, MD, chief of General Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center, performed New England’s first natural orifice surgery - completely incision free.
05/23/2007: Study reveals aspirin's colorectal cancer prevention mechanism
Aspirin therapy's ability to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, an association seen in a large number of studies, appears to depend on the drug's inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme, the action that also underlies aspirin's usefulness for treating pain and inflammation.
12/06/2012: Liver Center News
A New Era of Hepatitis C Therapy
Liver Center News, the Massachusetts General Hospital Liver Center e-newsletter, is produced by liver specialists for their clinical peers who treat patients with liver disease.
10/01/2011: Controversies in GI Motility and Functional GI Disease
We would like to invite you to Controversies in GI Motility and Functional GI Disease: A Team Based Approach, which will be held on October 1, 2011 at the Richard B. Simches Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.
02/12/2009: Medical Grand Rounds | The Diagnosis of Early Pancreatic Cancer
Medical Grand Rounds
Vijay Yajnik, MD, explains the role of genetics in developing colitis and Crohn's disease
Vijay Yajnik, MD, gastroenterologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center, explains why inflammatory bowel disease often goes untreated and the promising new therapies that can minimize IBD's impact on daily life.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of the pancreas
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) is performed with a linear echoendoscope using endoscopic imaging as well as ultrasound guidance. During FNA, the needle can be seen entering the pancreas. For cystic lesions, fluid is removed. For solid lesions, cytologic material is sampled.
Diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (for medical professionals)
Cystic pancreatic lesions are being detected with increasing frequency, and pancreatic cystic neoplasms account for the majority of these lesions. Designed for medical professionals, this video illustrates the use of endoscopic ultrasound and cyst fluid analysis in differential diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions.
