[Somatostatinoma. Apropos of a case]. / Le somatostatinome. A propos d'un cas.

Somatostatinoma are uncommon pancreatic endocrine tumors. We review the epidemiological, pathological, clinical and biological characteristics. The diagnosis of a somatostatinoma may be suggested clinically but is confirmed by histology of the resected tumor and specific immunohistochemistry marking. Malignancy is diagnosed on the presence metastases. Surgery is required with excision of the tumor, lymph nodes and metastases.

Tolerance, effectiveness, and acceptability of sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solution for colon cleaning before colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The unpleasant taste of the solution used for preparation before colonoscopy may limit patients' compliance with the procedure. However, the published results concerning the acceptability of sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solution (SF-ELS) for colon cleansing before colonoscopy are conflicting. The aim of this study was to compare SF-ELS with the standard polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution with regard to tolerance, effectiveness, and acceptability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the first part of the study, 24 patients were assigned to receive either one liter of SF-ELS or one liter of the standard PEG solution. After two hours, the patients had to choose two further liters (of either the first or second solution), and preparation for colonoscopy was completed. In the second part, fifty further patients were randomized into two groups: 25 patients received four liters of standard solution, and 25 patients received four liters of SF-ELS. The patients' opinions regarding the preparation and their willingness to repeat the use of the same preparation were recorded by questionnaire. The quality of the colon preparation was assessed by the endoscopists. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (71%; P < 0.05) preferred SF-ELS. The compliance rate in the two groups was 96%, and the frequency of occurrence of adverse effects was also similar. Colonoscopy was completed in 24 of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group and 22 of the 25 patients in the standard PEG group (the difference was not significant). Visualization of the mucosa in the areas explored was perfect in 20 of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group and in 17 of the 25 patients in the PEG group (not significant). Patients had a significant preference for SF-ELS. Eighteen of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group were willing to accept the same preparation for a further colonoscopy, compared with 11 of the 25 in the other group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Improving the acceptability of colonic preparation before colonoscopy could improve patients' compliance and the quality of the follow-up. The results of this study justify further investigation of SF-ELS.

[Conditions of practice of upper digestive endoscopy in ambulatory care. Results of a national survey (I)]. / Conditions de réalisation de l'endoscopie digestive haute en ambulatoire. Résultats d'une enquête nationale (I).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the usual conditions of practice of esophagogastroscopy in ambulatory care by French gastroenterologists. METHODS: During a week, a questionnaire was filled out for each esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory or day care. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty nine gastroenterologists participated in the study (25.9% of French gastroenterologists) and enrolled 4585 patients. Intra-venous sedation was performed in 36.6% of endoscopic examinations, with diazepam (17.8%), midazolam (41.7%), propofol (14.9%), diazepam and propofol (2.1%) or midazolam and propofol (23.5%). A morphinomimetic was associated in 58.6% of cases. Monitoring equipment of endoscopy units was: aspiration (58.6%), pulse oxymeter (41.6%), electrocardiographic monitoring (37.7%). Recommendations about follow-up after ambulatory anaesthesia were not implemented in 7.3% of examinations with anaesthesia (patient discharged alone). Seventeen minor adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: The study underlines variability of practice, mainly about use of sedation, monitoring and follow-up of patients during esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory care in France. An improvement in quality of endoscopy practice is likely.

[Patient's opinion following an upper digestive endoscopy in ambulatory care. Results of a national survey (II)]. / Opinion des patients après la réalisation d'une endoscopie digestive haute en ambulatoire. Résultats d'une enquête nationale (II).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate patient satisfaction after esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory care and to correlate it with conditions of usual practice. METHODS: Study was proposed to the French gastroenterologists. During a week, 2 questionnaires were filled out for each esophagogastroscopy performed in ambulatory care: one recorded conditions of examination and one was independently filled out by the patient one day after endoscopy. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty nine gastroenterologists and 4,585 patients participated in the study. Among the patients, 3,758 (82%) filled out the questionnaire. Sedation was performed in 36.6% of cases. Subsequent endoscopy would be accepted by 79.3% of patients in the same conditions. Acceptance was significantly better with use of sedation and use of propofol. Without sedation, independent factors associated with a better acceptance were: male gender, absence of habitual benzodiazepine medication, endoscopy performed in private practice or private hospitals, smaller size of endoscope. CONCLUSION: This study underlines factors associated with a good acceptance of esophagogastroscopy without sedation and could help to improve decision-making regarding use of sedation.

[Quality of psychomotor recovery after colonoscopy under general anesthesia using propofol. Value of tests of awakening]. / Qualité de la récupération psychomotrice après une coloscopie sous anesthésie générale par propofol. Intérêt des tests de réveil.

Achieving colonoscopy under general anaesthesia entails the problem of ambulatory-care anaesthesia, in particular because perception of patient's recovery determines to some extent the length of monitoring following colonoscopy. The aims of the study was to assess the quality of patient's recovery after a colonoscopy under general anaesthesia while using propofol, by means of psychomotor-tests. METHODS--Colonoscopy was performed in 40 patients according to the following anaesthetic protocol: induction: propofol 2 mg/kg, continuous support: propofol 10 mg/kg/h i.v. with a 50 mg bolus in case of insufficient sedation; series of 3 psychomotor-tests were performed the day before and 1 hour, 3 hours and 6 hours after colonoscopy. The 3 psychomotor-tests studied: coordination (Newman test), time-space orientation and short-term memory. RESULTS--Forty patients, 25 females and 15 males, underwent colonoscopy with general anaesthesia for an average time-period of 22 +/- 11 min. The mean dose of propofol used was 286 +/- 102 mg. Awakening was complete in all patients, according to physical criteria such as consciousness and cardiovascular status, 20 min after receiving colonoscopy. The average psychomotor-tests results over time were (as percentages of original values) (*P < 10(-3); **P < 0.05): [table: see text] At 6 hours, 35 patients (87.5%) had recovered to their original performance and at 3 hours, 30 patients (75%) retained 90% their former state as measured with 3 psychomotor-tests. Neither by age or sex nor by propofol doses used or length or anaesthesia, the study population differed significantly. CONCLUSION--Three hours after colonoscopy under general anaesthesia using propofol, 30 patients (75%) had recovered at least 90% to their initial performances. Newman test was the most disturbed but there was no predictive factor for the quality of recovery. Psychomotor-tests may be useful before authorizing early discharge after colonoscopy under general anaesthesia but other recommendations about conditions of discharge after sedation must be also implemented.

[Sweet syndrome associated with Crohn disease]. / Syndrome de Sweet associé à une maladie de Crohn.

The association of Sweet's syndrome and Crohn's disease is rare. We report a new case of such association. A 45 year-old woman developed a diarrhea, fever, and skin lesions consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome. Crohn's disease was also diagnosed. Oral prednisone, associated with mesalazine, effected improvement of both cutaneous lesions and bowel disease. The ten cases of the literature and ours show that Sweet's syndrome may occur during an acute phase of Crohn's disease. Most of the time, Crohn's disease has already been diagnosed. However, this was not so with our patient, wherein lies the originality of our case. A general corticotherapy is the preferred course of treatment.

[Necrotizing amebic colitis]. / Colite amibienne nécrosante.

We report a case of necrotizing amebic colitis in a 43 year-old patient, 10 years after a stay in Senegal, successfully treated by right hemicolectomy. Entamoeba histolytica were found in colon necrosis and amoebiasis serology was positive, leading to the diagnosis. The epidemiologic, physiopathologic, clinical and therapeutic features of this exceptional affection are described. A few cases have been previously reported in non endemic areas where pre-operative diagnosis is rarely made. In endemic areas, a conservative treatment by ileostomy and colonic lavage seems to reduce the death rate.

[Quality assessment of colonscopies in current practice in the Aquitaine area]. / Qualité des coloscopies réalisées en pratique courante dans la région Aquitaine.

UNLABELLED: Sensitivity of colonoscopy depends on the technical quality of the procedure. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usual of colonoscopy in the French area of Aquitaine and to determinate the factors associated with a procedure of good quality. Thirty four gastroenterologists prospectively recorded indications, conditions of practice and results of the colonoscopies that were performed during 4 consecutive weeks. Six hundred and eighty six colonoscopies were analysed, performed in 387 women and 299 men, mean age: 59.9 years. INDICATIONS: irritable bowel syndrome: 34%, patients belonging to high risk groups: 30%, recent transit disturbance: 27%, rectal bleeding: 23%, positive fecal occult blood test: 4.3%. Preparations: polyethylene glycol (PEG) 78%, in 2 doses: 20%; PEG alone: 43%, associated with enemas and laxatives: 19%, with enemas: 14%, with laxatives: 2%; minimum-residue diet before colonoscopy: 58%. The caecum was reached in 86% of colonoscopies. Ninety-nine colonoscopies were incomplete. Fifty one per cent of colonoscopies reached the caecum with visualization of total colic mucosa, 35% reached the caecum with one at least imperfectly seen colic area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)