[Gastroenterology and hepatology  update 2018]

The purpose of this article is to detail the major gastroenterology novelties for 2018. In the field of hepatology we address the monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma, the Baveno VI extended criteria for the detection of oesophageal varices and the management of cramps in cirrhotic patients. Concerning intestinal inflammatory diseases, two novel treatments have recently been approved by the European Commission, including injection of stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas and the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib for the RCH (ulcerative colitis). Finally, we provide an update on the diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic esophagitis and a new therapy that's was recently validated for the treatment of primitive biliary cirrhosis.