Endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets.

BACKGROUND: Current management of malignant obstruction of the upper digestive tract includes surgical gastrointestinal bypass or endoscopic insertion of self-expandable metal stents. The safety, efficacy, and long-term patency rates of anastomoses created using the novel technique of endoscopic gastroenteric anastomosis using magnets (EGAM) are evaluated in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 patients (13 men, 2 women; mean age 64.5 years) with malignant obstruction, who underwent EGAM and had monthly follow-up between December 2001 and May 2003, were included in this study. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 13 patients (88.66 %). The mean survival was 5.23 months. There were four minor complications (30.76 %) during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the feasibility, safety. and efficacy of this technique for creating a gastroenteric anastomosis. The success rate was 86.6 %, there were no immediate complications, and there was no mortality related to the procedure.

[Complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]. / Complicaciones de la colangiopancreatografía retrógada endoscópica.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is commonly used to remove bile-duct stones and to treat other problems. We prospectively investigated complications and mortality of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between june 6, 1998 and june 6, 1999 553 ERCP were performed in our centers. Inclusion criteria for protocol were: ERCP indication, complete follow-up and informed consent. We prospectively studied complications of ECRP in consecutive patients treated at 2 institutions (San Martin Hospital, La Plata, Argentina and Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel). The follow-up was done during 365 days with a clinical examination, laboratory test and ultrasonography to determine the possible complications. RESULTS: Of 553 ERCP, 43 had a complications; including pancreatitis in 16 cases, cholangitis in 12, hemorrhage in 5, perforation in 3 and miscellaneous in 7. 3-1) ES frequency: 241 patients (pts). 3-2) FOLLOW-UP: 365 days in 504 pts. 3-3) Sex and age: women 274 pts, men 230 pts. Age range 1 month to 90 year old. 3-4) Final diagnoses: choledocholitiasis (38.8%), strictures (18%), pancreatic cancer (4.3%), ampullary cancer (2.3%) and normal ERCP (24.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications after ES can vary in different circumstances and is primarily related to the indication for the procedure and to endoscopic technique. Our percentage of complications (7.53%) coincide with consulted studies. Today, diagnostic ERCP has been challenged by magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC). MRC provides images of the billary and pancreatic ducts that are nearly equal to those of ERCP without the procedural risk associated.

Complicaciones de la colangiopancreatografía retrógada endoscópica. / [Complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]

1. INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is commonly used to remove bile-duct stones and to treat other problems. We prospectively investigated complications and mortality of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). 2. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between june 6, 1998 and june 6, 1999 553 ERCP were performed in our centers. Inclusion criteria for protocol were: ERCP indication, complete follow-up and informed consent. We prospectively studied complications of ECRP in consecutive patients treated at 2 institutions (San Martin Hospital, La Plata, Argentina and Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel). The follow-up was done during 365 days with a clinical examination, laboratory test and ultrasonography to determine the possible complications. 3. RESULTS: Of 553 ERCP, 43 had a complications; including pancreatitis in 16 cases, cholangitis in 12, hemorrhage in 5, perforation in 3 and miscellaneous in 7. 3-1) ES frequency: 241 patients (pts). 3-2) Follow-up: 365 days in 504 pts. 3-3) Sex and age: women 274 pts, men 230 pts. Age range 1 month to 90 year old. 3-4) Final diagnoses: choledocholitiasis (38.8

), strictures (18

), pancreatic cancer (4.3

), ampullary cancer (2.3

) and normal ERCP (24.4

). 4. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications after ES can vary in different circumstances and is primarily related to the indication for the procedure and to endoscopic technique. Our percentage of complications (7.53

) coincide with consulted studies. Today, diagnostic ERCP has been challenged by magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC). MRC provides images of the billary and pancreatic ducts that are nearly equal to those of ERCP without the procedural risk associated.

[HCV / HIV co-infection: a different perspective]. / Co-infección HCV/HIV: una perspectiva diferente.

The clinical significance of HCV-HIV co-infection has notoriously changed due to the introduction of new anti-retroviral therapeutic combinations against HIV infection. Their effectiveness in dramatically reducing AIDS mortality, and the corresponding increase in hospitalization and death related to liver disease. Considerations facing this new reality will have to include epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic interactions, the influence of highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART) on the natural history of HCV infection, including their HCV--enhanced liver toxicity, and current new strategies about therapeutic measures against HCV infection in the frame of the most recent advances in HIV therapy.

Co-infeccion HCV/HIV: una perspectiva diferente / HCV/HIV co-infection: a different perspective

The clinical significance of HCV-HIV co-infection has notoriously changed due to the introduction of new anti-retroviral therapeutic combinations against HIV infection. Their effectiveness in dramatically reducing AIDS mortality, and the corresponding increase in hospitalization and death related to liver disease. Considerations facing this new reality will have to include epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic interactions, the influence of highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART) on the natural history of HCV infection, including their HCV--enhanced liver toxicity, and current new strategies about therapeutic measures against HCV infection in the frame of the most recent advances in HIV therapy

Co-infeccion HCV/HIV: una perspectiva diferente / HCV/HIV co-infection: a different perspective

The clinical significance of HCV-HIV co-infection has notoriously changed due to the introduction of new anti-retroviral therapeutic combinations against HIV infection. Their effectiveness in dramatically reducing AIDS mortality, and the corresponding increase in hospitalization and death related to liver disease. Considerations facing this new reality will have to include epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic interactions, the influence of highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART) on the natural history of HCV infection, including their HCV--enhanced liver toxicity, and current new strategies about therapeutic measures against HCV infection in the frame of the most recent advances in HIV therapy (AU)

Co-infección HCV/HIV: una perspectiva diferente. / [HCV / HIV co-infection: a different perspective]

The clinical significance of HCV-HIV co-infection has notoriously changed due to the introduction of new anti-retroviral therapeutic combinations against HIV infection. Their effectiveness in dramatically reducing AIDS mortality, and the corresponding increase in hospitalization and death related to liver disease. Considerations facing this new reality will have to include epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic interactions, the influence of highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART) on the natural history of HCV infection, including their HCV--enhanced liver toxicity, and current new strategies about therapeutic measures against HCV infection in the frame of the most recent advances in HIV therapy.

[Idiopathic portal hypertension with splenic infarct. An unreported complication]. / Hipertensión portal idiopática con infarto esplénico. Complicación no descripta.

We present a case of Idiopathic Portal Hypertension (IPH) with Splenic infarct in a 23-year-old female. She was referred to the hospital because of enlargement of liver and spleen. A computed axial tomography revealed Splenic infarct. The spleen was surgically removed. At laparotomy the liver was found to be enlarged and a liver biopsy performed. The biopsy showed characteristic changes of IPH. After the splenic resection all hematologic manifestations disappeared, suggesting that they were due to hypersplenism. The IPH is very uncommon in western countries. We don't know of any case previously reported in Argentina and our patient is the first case of IPH with Splenic infarct.

[Hepatitis C and alcohol: notes for consensus]. / Hepatitis C y alcohol: apuntes para el consenso.

Alcohol abuse is accompanied by a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which arise in the Great La Plata up to 20%. This condition worsen the histological necro-inflamatory activity of HCV chronic hepatitis patients, accelerating the evolution to liver cirrhosis, to cirrhosis decompensation, and surely facilitating the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides of that, active alcohol abuse implies severe decrease in therapeutic response and yet more, a real contraindication for IFN mono-drug or combined treatment. All of that remarks the need for a correct investigation of alcohol consumption in HCV infected patients through a careful clinical examination, routine use of biological markers and incorporation of specialized systematic questionnaires, submitting the patient as early as possible to a special treatment (mental health team, self-help groups, naltrexone or similar trials). Alcohol abuse suppression is the first great therapeutic gesture in chronic hepatitis C patients to allow specific combined treatment and eventually a more successful liver transplant.

Hipertensión portal idiopática con infarto esplénico. Complicación no descripta / Idiopathic portal hypertension with splenic infarct. An unreported complication

La Hipertensión Portal Idiopática (HPI) es un síndrome clínico-patológico caracterizado por hipertensión portal no cirrótica. Su prevalencia es baja en occidente y no hemos encontrado casos comunicados en nuestro país. La patente histológica característica de HPI es fibrosis y obliteración de las venas porta intrajepáticas (flebosclerosis), fibrosis portal y periportal, y formación de vasos aberrantes. Presentamos un caso que nos fue derivado por hepatoesplenomegalia y pancitopenia. Al tercer día de internación presentó dolor abdominal y mediante una TAC abdominal se le diagnosticó un infarto esplénico . Posteriormente se le realizó una esplenectomía y biopsia hepática. Los parámetros hematológicos mejoraron después de la operación. Los estudios de imágenes y endoscópicos confirmaron la presencia de hipertensión portal: circulación colateral, vena porta permeable y dilatada y várices esofágicas. Los cambios histológicos del hígado concordaron con el diagnóstico de HPI. Los signos y síntomas característicos de HPI son hemorragias digestivas relacionadas con la hipertensión portal y pancitopenia secundaria al hiperesplenismo y su principal causa de muerte es la hemorragia por várices esofágicas. Como complicación infrecuente de la HPI se ha descripto la trombosis de la vena Porta. En cambio el infarto esplénico, es una rara complicación de la hipertensión portal por cirrosis y del transplante hepático, pero no se han publicado casos en pacientes con HPI. (AU)

Hipertensión portal idiopática con infarto esplénico. Complicación no descripta / Idiopathic portal hypertension with splenic infarct. An unreported complication

La Hipertensión Portal Idiopática (HPI) es un síndrome clínico-patológico caracterizado por hipertensión portal no cirrótica. Su prevalencia es baja en occidente y no hemos encontrado casos comunicados en nuestro país. La patente histológica característica de HPI es fibrosis y obliteración de las venas porta intrajepáticas (flebosclerosis), fibrosis portal y periportal, y formación de vasos aberrantes. Presentamos un caso que nos fue derivado por hepatoesplenomegalia y pancitopenia. Al tercer día de internación presentó dolor abdominal y mediante una TAC abdominal se le diagnosticó un infarto esplénico . Posteriormente se le realizó una esplenectomía y biopsia hepática. Los parámetros hematológicos mejoraron después de la operación. Los estudios de imágenes y endoscópicos confirmaron la presencia de hipertensión portal: circulación colateral, vena porta permeable y dilatada y várices esofágicas. Los cambios histológicos del hígado concordaron con el diagnóstico de HPI. Los signos y síntomas característicos de HPI son hemorragias digestivas relacionadas con la hipertensión portal y pancitopenia secundaria al hiperesplenismo y su principal causa de muerte es la hemorragia por várices esofágicas. Como complicación infrecuente de la HPI se ha descripto la trombosis de la vena Porta. En cambio el infarto esplénico, es una rara complicación de la hipertensión portal por cirrosis y del transplante hepático, pero no se han publicado casos en pacientes con HPI.

Hipertensión portal idiopática con infarto esplénico. Complicación no descripta. / [Idiopathic portal hypertension with splenic infarct. An unreported complication]

We present a case of Idiopathic Portal Hypertension (IPH) with Splenic infarct in a 23-year-old female. She was referred to the hospital because of enlargement of liver and spleen. A computed axial tomography revealed Splenic infarct. The spleen was surgically removed. At laparotomy the liver was found to be enlarged and a liver biopsy performed. The biopsy showed characteristic changes of IPH. After the splenic resection all hematologic manifestations disappeared, suggesting that they were due to hypersplenism. The IPH is very uncommon in western countries. We dont know of any case previously reported in Argentina and our patient is the first case of IPH with Splenic infarct.

Hepatitis C y alcohol: apuntes para el consenso. / [Hepatitis C and alcohol: notes for consensus]

Alcohol abuse is accompanied by a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which arise in the Great La Plata up to 20

. This condition worsen the histological necro-inflamatory activity of HCV chronic hepatitis patients, accelerating the evolution to liver cirrhosis, to cirrhosis decompensation, and surely facilitating the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides of that, active alcohol abuse implies severe decrease in therapeutic response and yet more, a real contraindication for IFN mono-drug or combined treatment. All of that remarks the need for a correct investigation of alcohol consumption in HCV infected patients through a careful clinical examination, routine use of biological markers and incorporation of specialized systematic questionnaires, submitting the patient as early as possible to a special treatment (mental health team, self-help groups, naltrexone or similar trials). Alcohol abuse suppression is the first great therapeutic gesture in chronic hepatitis C patients to allow specific combined treatment and eventually a more successful liver transplant.

Medicina basada en la evidencia y educación contínua en gastroenterología y hepatología / Evidence-based medicine and continuing aducation in gastroenterology and hepatology

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) provide a new philosophy and useful tools to incorporate the scientific method to medical practice in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Endoscopy. Large and well designed multicenter randomized clinical trials validated if necessary by metaanalysis, are the main support to the system; in spite of that individual decisions will owe to take into account interests and beliefs of patients and their relatives, doctors and society National or regional consensus and guide-lines elaborated by experts of scientific institutions are published in first line publications and easily available by computerized ways. Incorporation of econometric studies specially centered on quality of life quantification would be excellent weapons in the process of decision making Computers technology as a tool of fast access to scientific bases of medical problems and as a real participant of the process of health care, should owe to be inserted to educational programs at the universities and scientific institutions, at levels of specialization and continuing medical education. (Au)

Medicina basada en la evidencia y educación contínua en gastroenterología y hepatología / Evidence-based medicine and continuing aducation in gastroenterology and hepatology

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) provide a new philosophy and useful tools to incorporate the scientific method to medical practice in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Endoscopy. Large and well designed multicenter randomized clinical trials validated if necessary by metaanalysis, are the main support to the system; in spite of that individual decisions will owe to take into account interests and beliefs of patients and their relatives, doctors and society National or regional consensus and guide-lines elaborated by experts of scientific institutions are published in first line publications and easily available by computerized ways. Incorporation of econometric studies specially centered on quality of life quantification would be excellent weapons in the process of decision making Computers technology as a tool of fast access to scientific bases of medical problems and as a real participant of the process of health care, should owe to be inserted to educational programs at the universities and scientific institutions, at levels of specialization and continuing medical education.

[Clinic-epidemiological significance of drug hepatotoxicity in liver disease consultation]. / Significación clínico-epidemiológica de la hepatotoxicidad por fármacos en la consulta hepatológica.

To assess epidemiological and clinical significance of drug hepatotoxicity in the setting of liver diseases consultation, ten thousand and three hundred forty two prospectively designed clinical records from patient cared for in our Liver Unit in the period 1988-1998 were incorporated into the study; 58 out of 10,342 (prevalence = 5.6%) fulfilled at least the first three of the following causality requirements: 1.--Liver injury associated in time to drug exposition; 2.--Negative evaluation of more common other etiologies; (alcohol, viruses, immunologic, metabolic, etc) 3.--Favourable response to drug withdrawal (ALT < 50% of baseline in 8 to 30 days in acute hepatitis type, and alkaline phosphatase and/or total bilirubin < 50% of baseline up to 6 months, in acute cholestasis) 4.--Inadverted or rarely prescribed positive challenge. Acute hepatitis type of injury were considered when serum ALT rise 8 times or more above normal superior level with alkaline phosphatase (APh) below 3 times; "pure" cholestasis when APh rise 3 times or more above normal with ALT below 8 times; mixed acute injury or cholestatic hepatitis when both ALT and APh were elevated above 8 and 3 times respectively, and indeterminate type when both enzymes were below the referred levels. Chronic injury were considered when six or more month of evolution and compatible liver histology happens. Clinical severity were expressed as mild (absence of major clinical complications, serum bilirubin < 5 mg/dl and prothrombin concentration > 75%), moderate (presence of clinical complications, bilirubin > 5 mg/dl and prothrombin concentration between 50-75%), and severe (major clinical complications with bilirubin > 5 mg/dl and prothrombin concentration < 50%). Female/male ratio was 1.4:1, with age average 39 years (R = 15-77) and major concentration of cases above 40. More than 50% of cases received 2 or more drugs. Jaundice was present in 60.4%, and systemic manifestations of hypersensibility (fever, adenomegalies, rush, mononucleosis like syndrome, eosinophilia) in 29.3%. Acute injury represented 91.4% of the cases: 41.4% acute hepatitis, 15.5% "pure" cholestasis, 24.1% cholestatic hepatitis, and 10.3% indeterminate type. Four patients (4.5% of acute injury cases) were presented as severe acute liver failure, leading to liver transplant in one of them, drug association (INH-rifampicin and carbamazepine-phenobarbital) and inadverted challenge (sulphonamides and pemoline) were associated to clinical severity. Chronic injury were found in five patient (8.6%), four of them associated to chronic hepatitis and the other one to a ductopenic syndrome. Six drugs represented 53.4% of our cases; oral contraceptives (7 cases), INH alone or combined with rifampicin (6 cases), sulfonamides and clorpropamida (5 cases each), carbamazepine and amiodarone (4 cases each). Normalization of liver enzymes after drug suppression took 2 to 8 weeks in acute hepatitis type (X = 4 weeks), 4 to 20 in "pure" cholestasis (X = 12 weeks) and 8 to 24 weeks in cholestatic hepatitis or mixed type (X = 16 weeks). Two cases of chronic hepatitis normalize the histological activity index in 20 and 18 month respectively, one case remains as chronic hepatitis at 10 month and the other one progress to cirrhosis; the ductopenic syndrome normalize histology in 19 months receiving urso-deoxicolic acid, 10 mg/k/day.

Efficacy of octreotide and sclerotherapy in the treatment of acute variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. A prospective, multicentric, and randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is the most widely used method for treatment of acute variceal bleeding. Previous reports have suggested that octreotide infusion is as effective as sclerotherapy. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy and safety of octreotide in comparison with sclerotherapy in controlling variceal bleeding. METHODS: Seventy-six cirrhotic patients were randomized to receive either sclerotherapy (n = 37) or octreotide (n = 39) infusion of 50 microg/h intravenously for 48 h after a bolus of 100 microg, followed by subcutaneous injection of 100 microg/8 h for an additional 72 h. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in base-line data. A similar initial control of bleeding was obtained in 94.6% for sclerotherapy and 84.6% for octreotide (NS). No difference was observed between sclerotherapy and octreotide in rebleeding (23% versus 33%) and treatment failure (22% versus 36%, respectively). Furthermore, the overall success of treatment was 78% for sclerotherapy and 64% for octreotide. No significant difference in mortality was observed between treatments (eight patients for octreotide and three patients for sclerotherapy, NS). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that both treatments present a very high and similar initial and final control of bleeding. However, there is a trend that could be clinically important towards better results in the patients treated with sclerotherapy.