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BACKGROUND: Black esophagus or acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a striking medical condition characterized by circumferential black appearing esophageal mucosa affecting various lengths of the organ with nearly universal involvement of the distal esophagus and abrupt transition at the gastroesophageal junction. This syndrome is gaining acceptance as an important cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in hospitalized patients. AIMS: To better describe clinical features, risk factors, associated conditions, etiology, treatment, complications, and outcome in patients with AEN at various medical centers across the globe. METHODS: We analyze this syndrome as a first international multicenter series of eight patients who presented with AEN. Clinical characteristics were recorded for each case by treating physicians, and data were retrospectively analyzed and compared. RESULTS: AEN is more common in geriatric males and characteristically (88 %) presents with signs of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Risk factors include alcohol abuse, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, malnourishment, and vascular disease. Hypoalbuminemia was universal, while anemia, renal insufficiency, and hyperglycemia were seen in nearly 90 % of the patients. Endoscopically, distal esophageal involvement with various proximal extension and sharp demarcation at the GE junction was seen in all patients. Duodenal pathology was seen in 50 % of the cases. Causes of AEN were largely multifactorial with all patients affected by a combination of ischemic insult, compromised mucosal defenses, and corrosive reflux injury of gastric contents. Treatment with acid suppression and correction of underlying medical conditions was implemented in all patients. Esophageal stricture formation was seen in 25 % of the patients and was associated with concurrent duodenal pathology. Mortality was 12.5 % and unrelated to AEN. CONCLUSION: Black esophagus or AEN syndrome is an important cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage with striking endoscopic presentation in a clinically compromised individual with multiple co-morbidities. Structured conservative management with correction of underlying etiology and acid suppression is essential to improved prognosis. Associated duodenal pathology on endoscopy is a reflection of the degree of initial insult and a clinical predictor for potential stricture development. Proximal extension of the black esophagus may be related to the degree of hyperglycemia. Increased awareness of AEN syndrome will lead to early recognition and proper treatment.

Enterolithiasis or formation of gastrointestinal concretions is an uncommon medical condition that develops in the setting of intestinal stasis in the presence of the intestinal diverticula, surgical enteroanastomoses, blind pouches, afferent loops, incarcerated hernias, small intestinal tumors, intestinal kinking from intra-abdominal adhesions, and stenosing or stricturing Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis. Enterolithiasis is classified into primary and secondary types. Its prevalence ranges from 0.3% to 10% in selected populations. Proximal primary enteroliths are composed of choleic acid salts and distal enteroliths are calcified. Clinical presentation includes abdominal pains, distention, nausea, and vomiting of occasionally sudden but often fluctuating subacute nature which occurs as a result of the enterolith tumbling through the bowel lumen. Thorough history and physical exam coupled with radiologic imaging helps establish a diagnosis in a patient at risk. Complications include bowel obstruction, direct pressure injury to the intestinal mucosa, intestinal gangrene, intussusceptions, afferent loop syndrome, diverticulitis, iron deficiency anemia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and perforation. Mortality of primary enterolithiasis may reach 3% and secondary enterolithiasis 8%. Risk factors include poorly conditioned patients with significant obstruction and delay in diagnosis. Treatment relies on timely recognition of the disease and endoscopic or surgical intervention. With advents in new technology, improved outcome is expected for patients with enterolithiasis.

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a benign medical condition characterized by elongated filiform lingual papillae with typical carpet-like appearance of the dorsum of the tongue. Its prevalence varies geographically, typically ranging from 0.6% to 11.3%. Known predisposing factors include smoking, excessive coffee/black tea consumption, poor oral hygiene, trigeminal neuralgia, general debilitation, xerostomia, and medication use. Clinical presentation varies but is typically asymptomatic, although aesthetic concerns are common. Differential diagnosis includes pseudo-BHT, acanthosis nigricans, oral hairy leukoplakia, pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue, and congenital melanocytic/melanotic nevi/macules. Clinical diagnosis relies on visual observation, detailed history taking, and occasionally microscopic evaluation. Treatment involves identification and discontinuation of the offending agent, modifications of chronic predisposing factors, patient's re-assurance to the benign nature of the condition, and maintenance of adequate oral hygiene with gentle debridement to promote desquamation. Complications of BHT (burning mouth syndrome, halitosis, nausea, gagging, dysgeusia) typically respond to therapy. Prognosis is excellent with treatment of underlying medical conditions. BHT remains an important medical condition which may result in additional burden on the patient and health care system and requires appropriate prevention, recognition and treatment.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are an important variety of gastrointestinal tumors with increasing incidence and prevalence. Traditional management of NHL with chemotherapy is challenging and expanding evidence points to significant tumor response to radiation therapy (RT). However, there exists a wide range of radiation-related toxicities. Optimization of exact tumor marking coupled with minimization of the radius of radiation delivery is essential to increase patient's tolerance and decrease side effects of the treatment. We report our experience with mantle cell lymphoma of the colon treated with precision RT after endoscopic placement of resolution clips in a "shooting target" fashion in a patient who failed conventional chemotherapy. Fourteen months after completion of RT, the patient remains in complete remission.

Primary adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a rare but important cause of gastric outlet obstruction that may be misdiagnosed as idiopathic gastroparesis. Clinically, patients present with early satiety, abdominal fullness, nausea, epigastric discomfort and eructation. Permanent gastric retention of a video capsule endoscope is diagnostic in differentiating between the two diseases, in the absence of an organic gastric outlet obstruction. This case presents the longest video capsule retention in the medical literature to date. It is also the first case report of adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis diagnosed with video capsule endoscopy or a computed tomography scan. Finally, an unusual "plugging" of the gastric outlet with free floating capsule has an augmented effect on disease physiology and on patient's symptoms.