In practice, the data available in a case study will never be completeud and sufficient. Also, not all information provided will necessarily be needed to resolve the case, but may be included so as to give a wider view of the company's context and its environment. Thus, the reader is encouraged to learn about the company and the relevant market to enable a comparison between the data provided and the data gathered and compiled, which will ensure the validity of the information and improve the decisions taken. As in any real-life situation, the proposals developed must always take into account the human context within which the firm operates. One must also bear in mind that, in business, there are no ideal decisions, only reasonable solutions!

Question 31 It is stated that nitric oxide (NO) inhibits the relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and that sildenafil is given for treating achalasia. As far as I know, sildenafil acts to increase the guanine monophosphate (GMP), just as NO uses the same mechanism to relax the LOS. Could you explain this paradox? Question 32 In Kumar and Clark Clinical Medicine you mention that auscultation is not important in cases of gastrointestinal disorders, but Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine gives this as being of equal importance because succussion splash and bowel sounds can help in presumptive diagnosis. Succussion splash indicates gastric obstruction (e.g. gastroparesis) and likewise bowel sounds can help determine the status of developing ileus. Would you agree that this is therefore a diagnostic tool? Question 33 Is it hazardous to give aspirin in the antiplatelet doses (75-325 mg/day) to a patient with a past history of haematemesis proved to be from a peptic ulcer? Question 34 How can upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding be distinguished from lower GI bleeding by using faecal analysis? Question 35 In upper gastrointestinal bleeding, without knowing the cause or source of bleeding, why do we give proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, e.g. omeprazole)? What is the role of these, if the source of bleeding is not peptic or duodenal ulcer? Question 36 Why is the incidence of coeliac disease increasing in many countries? Question 37 Are small amounts of gluten harmful to a patient with coeliac disease? Question 38 I refer to the treatment of complications related to diverticular disease. Under 'bleeding' you mention that 'Persistent bleeding can often be arrested by undertaking an "instant" barium enema, which acts to plug the offending diverticulum'. When I mentioned this to my consultant he said he had never heard of this. Could you clarify how this would work and where I could obtain more information? Question 39 In children with abdominal pain and fever, does a white cell count help establish a diagnosis of appendicitis? Question 40 I have always been taught that ulcerative colitis only affects the large bowel with some associated proctitis. I read in your chapter on gastrointestinal disease that it can cause mouth ulcers and am now