Elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 following Helicobacter suis gastritis and normalisation after eradication: first case report and review of the literature.

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a biological marker used to diagnose and monitor the progression of various cancers. Elevated CA 19-9 has also been sporadically observed in Helicobacter pylori infected patients. Similar to H. pylori, animalhosted non-H. pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) species can induce gastroduodenal lesions in humans. We report the first case of CA 19-9 elevation related to H. suis gastritis and its normalisation after eradication. A CA 19-9 screening prescribed as part of a regular check up by the general practitioner was found elevated in a 68-year-old man presenting chronic dyspeptic symptoms. Medical investigations were negative for presence of neoplasia or biliary obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy confirmed the presence of chronic gastritis and H. suis was identified in gastric biopsies. The standard treatment for H. pylori successfully eradicated H. suis with normalisation of CA 19-9 levels. In addition to H. pylori, infection with NHPH species should be considered as an additional cause of elevated CA19-9.

Management of common bile duct stone late after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for obesity.

Rapid weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for the treatment of obesity can increase the incidence of cholelithiasis formation. Nevertheless, routine simultaneous cholecystectomy at the time of bariatric surgery remains controversial. However, in case of delayed occurrence of common bile duct (CBD) stones, the difficulty to reach endoscopically the biliary tract after RYGBP should be kept in mind. We here report the case of a patient who presented with CBD stones seven years after gastric banding followed five years later by RYGBP without associated cholecystectomy. Our approach of transgastric laparoscopic assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography followed by sphincterotomy and balloon stones extraction is illustrated.

Duodenal ulcer hemorrhage treated by embolization: results in 28 patients.

BACKGROUND: To assess the effectiveness and prospects of transcatheter gastroduodenal artery embolization in the control of massive duodenal bleeding and to relate our experience. METHODS OF STUDY: The study is based on the retrospective analysis of 165 patients with endoscopically detected bleeding duodenal ulcer who presented between 1991-1998. 28 patients were considered eligible for endovascular treatment either at initial presentation or following hemorrhage recurrence after endoscopic therapy. RESULTS: Technical failure was noted in 3 cases, thereafter treated by surgery. In the other 25 patients, embolization was performed: bleeding recurrence occurred in 7 cases. Four were treated only endoscopically. One was reembolized and the last two were treated by surgery. In 6 cases, a coaxial technique was used (guiding catheter in 2 and 3F microcatheter in 4). No complication related to the catheterization was observed. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter embolization of the gastroduodenal artery appears to be an efficient procedure even in the absence of active bleeding at the time of the procedure. Failure and recurrence rates can be reduced by using a coaxial technique in the uneasy cases. Embolization seems to have a low recurrence rate and a very low complication rate.

Intestinal involvement in Buerger's disease.

Thromboangiitis obliterans characteristically affects small- and medium-sized vessels of the limbs in young smokers. There is some controversy about the existence of visceral localizations of the disease. The case of a patient with a well-established diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans who presented with mesenteric ischemia is described and the literature concerning mesenteric involvement in the disease is reviewed.

Abdominal wall weakness and lumboabdominal pain revealing neuroborreliosis: a report of three cases.

The authors report three cases of thoracic radiculoneuropathy disclosing neuroborreliosis. All three patients had low back and abdominal pain and two had marked abdominal wall paresis. EMG confirmed a motor involvement of the lower thoracic roots and CSF analysis revealed a lymphocytic meningitis in all three cases. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were present in both the serum and the CSF. A favourable outcome was obtained in all three patients with appropriate antibiotherapy. The differential diagnosis of this misleading presentation is discussed.

Oesophageal self expanding metal stents. Preliminary report about covered and non-covered types.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and complications rate of covered and non-covered self expanding metal stents in the palliative treatment of oesophageal dysphagia. DESIGN: In this retrospective non-randomized study, we evaluated 11 non-covered and 17 covered stents of different types. RESULTS: Grade of dysphagia and improvement after treatment were similar in both groups, all the seven fistulas were sealed by covered stents. Covered stents seem to be safer regarding the rate of life-threatening complications and reinterventions. In contrast to published studies, bleeding was our major complication with death related in half of these patients. Aorto-Oesophageal fistula was proved by autopsy in two of them. CONCLUSIONS: Covered stents lead to less drawbacks than non-covered ones and seem to be recommended in the palliation of oesophageal dysphagia even in the absence of fistula.

Endoscopic therapy of Barrett's oesophagus: critical review.

Barrett's oesophagus is known as one of the most important risk factor of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Because of the increasing incidence of these latter, many endoscopic methods such as argon plasma coagulation, photodynamic therapy or endoscopic mucosal resection are now in evaluation in order to eradicate Barrett's oesophagus or to treat dysplasia and early cancers arising from this metaplasia. The aim of this paper is to comment these techniques and discuss their usefulness.

Intraductal papillary-mucinous tumours of the pancreas. Clinical and radiological aspects.

Intraductal papillary-mucinous tumours are rare epithelial tumours with all intermediate types occurring from papillary to mucin-hypersecreting forms. They affects generally old men and recurring pancreatitis is the main clinical feature. Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography is the best diagnostic method, showing large dilatation of the ducts and filling defects due to mucin's plugs or papillary tumour. IPMT are slow-growing and have low malignant potential; as to far, surgical resection is considered mandatory, however, better distinction between benign and malignant evolution will probably select cases in which conservative follow-up may be proposed.

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with Steinert disease]. / Pneumatose kystique intestinale associée à une maladie de Steinert.

We report the case of a 63-year-old patient suffering from myotonic dystrophy, complicated with respiratory insufficiency, who presented a pneumoperitoneum without sign of peritonitis. Diagnosis of pneumatosis cystoides coli was based on CT scan evidence. Given oxygenotherapy and antibiotherapy, the patient rapidly improved. The association between the two affections has, to our knowledge, not been previously described.

Noninvasive imaging of the biliary tree before or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: use of three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using three-dimensional spiral CT after IV administration of a cholangiographic agent for noninvasive detection of anatomic variations of the bile ducts and common bile duct stones before or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography was performed before laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 24 patients and after surgery in two patients who had recurrent symptoms. After slow infusion of 250 ml of iodipamide, spiral CT was performed. Three-dimensional images of the bile ducts and a secondary reformation through the long axis of the common bile duct were obtained. Visualization of the biliary tract was evaluated by two observers. Detection of anatomic variations and common bile duct stones was assessed in 19 patients for whom a gold standard (operative or retrograde cholangiogram) was available. RESULTS: In all 26 patients, the common bile duct and the confluence of the hepatic ducts were seen on three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiograms, and in 21 patients second- or higher-order branches were also seen. Seven patients had anatomic variations and two had common bile duct stones. These anomalies were proved by operative cholangiography in each case, except for a low junction of the cystic duct and a common bile duct stone, which were shown by retrograde cholangiography. Six of the seven anatomic variations were adequately detected with spiral CT cholangiography, as were the two cases of common bile duct stones. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography is a feasible method for noninvasive detection of biliary anatomic variations and common bile duct stones before or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Thrombosis of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis.

The natural history of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis is unknown. A patient with chronic pancreatitis is described in whom thrombosis of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm occurred. Early diagnosis and radical treatment of a bleeding pseudoaneurysm are mandatory. When elective treatment is considered, however, contrast enhanced computed tomography may be useful just before surgery as thrombosis may occur.

Dynamic CT in pancreatic lymphoma.

We retrospectively reviewed the dynamic CT examinations of eight patients with pancreatic lymphoma. Four tumors were rounded masses with well-defined contours, four were more infiltrating lesions. The median cross-sectional diameter of the tumors was 6 cm (range 2.5-12 cm). At dynamic CT, the tumors were hypodense (n = 8) and somewhat heterogeneous (n = 6). Additional features were enlarged lymph nodes, 1-3 cm in diameter (n = 5), dilatation of the biliary tract and pancreatic duct (n = 5), abnormalities in the fat around the celiac trunk and/or the superior mesenteric artery (n = 4), and venous stenosis or occlusion (n = 7). The CT findings of pancreatic lymphoma are more various than has been previously reported. Findings such as small tumor size, well-defined contours, tumor heterogeneity, pancreatic duct dilatation, and venous invasion may be seen. Pancreatic lymphoma cannot be reliably distinguished from pancreatic carcinoma by CT findings alone.

[Extracorporeal gallbladder lithotripsy: technology, practical methods, results and current value]. / La lithotripsie vésiculaire extracorporelle: technologie, modalités pratiques, résultats et actualisation.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Patients are now treated without general anesthesia and, increasingly, on an outpatient basis. Skin petechiae and transient hematuria are the most common side effects. Episodes of biliary colic are common in the follow-up period, but more serious adverse side effects such as cholecystitis and pancreatitis are distinctly uncommon. It is estimated that only 15% to 20% of all patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis are suitable lithotripsy candidates. As our knowledge of the procedure grows, it seems clear that the best results are obtained in patients with solitary radiolucent stones less than or equal to 20 mm, with stone-free rates at 12 months above 80%, for this selected group of patients. Adjuvant oral bile-acid dissolution therapy should be used in conjunction with gallstone lithotripsy. Gallstone recurrence remains to be established by clinical studies. Therapy for gallstones in 1991 has to be reevaluated by an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account not only open cholecystectomy, but also other modalities such as medical dissolution, laparoscopic surgery, percutaneous cholecystolithotomy and extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The appeal of the laparoscopic approach will substantially reduce the pool of patients for lithotripsy. Nevertheless, lithotripsy will continue to be a viable treatment option for patients with a single radiolucent stone. It is an outpatient procedure and doesn't require any incision or general anesthesia.

[Distomatosis of the bile ducts. Value of retrograde cholangiography. Efficacy of triclabendazole]. / Distomatose des voies biliaires. Intérêt de la cholangiographie rétrograde. Efficacité du triclabendazole.

A case of chronic biliary fascioliasis is reported, which was confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. After unsuccessful attempts of treatment with classic antiparasitic drugs, cure was obtained with triclabendazole the absorption of which was studied.

[Acute dilatation of the colon]. / Les dilatations aiguës du côlon.

Dilated colon is provoked by obstructing lesions, toxic megacolon or colonic pseudoobstruction. The obstructing lesions of the colon are colonic volvulus, inflammatory bowel disease with stenosis or colonic cancer. Toxic megacolon is more often caused by I.B.D. and rarely by infectious diseases. Etiological diagnosis is possible after clinical and radiological evaluation. Colonoscopy is always indicated, except in toxic megacolon. Balloon dilatation of strictures, palliative treatment of colonic carcinoma by Laser procedures, reduction of colonic volvulus and aspiration of colonic pseudoobstruction are the principal indications of therapeutic colonoscopy in the non surgical treatment of dilated colon.

[Pharyngo-laryngeal consequences of gastroesophageal reflux. Value of esophageal pH measurements in 74 patients]. / Répercussions pharyngo-laryngées du reflux gastro-oesophagien. Intérêt de la pH-métrie oesophagienne chez 74 patients.

Ambulatory 24 hour oesophageal pH monitoring was performed in order to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 74 patients presenting with poorly explained ear-nose-throat complaints. A significant number of these patients also benefited from other currently used methods for diagnosing GERD. Oesophageal pH-monitoring demonstrated GERD in half of the patients. For atypical GERD, 24 hour oesophageal pH-monitoring seems to be the most sensitive procedure.

[Hepatic abscess complicating ileal Crohn disease in remission. Efficacy of antibiotherapy]. / Abcès hépatiques compliquant une maladie de Crohn iléale en rémission. Efficacité de l'antibiothérapie.

Liver abscess is a rare complication of Crohn's disease. The authors describe a case of liver abscess associated with inactive regional enteritis which recovered completely under antibiotic treatment alone.