Gastrointestinal infection in the immunocompromised (AIDS) patient.

In the past two decades acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become one of the most devastating illnesses in human history. As the epidemic continues to spread increasingly, AIDS patients are no longer confined to a few specialized AIDS hospitals and are now seen in general hospitals and clinics everywhere. Radiologists need to recognize the appearances, to understand how-safely-to care for patients with this disease, and to know enough about the illness to be able to counsel their patients. This article presents a review of current knowledge about the wide range of gastrointestinal hepatic, splenic, biliary, and retroperitoneal manifestations in AIDS, and how the role of modern medical imaging techniques and diagnosis and treatment can be applied. The imaging aspects (conventional double-contrast gastrointestinal studies, ultrasound, CT, and MR) of the diseases of the luminal gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen, biliary tract, and retroperitoneum will be systematically discussed. Candidiasis, herpes, cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidiosis, histoplasmosis, isosporiasis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, unusual mycobacteria, and viral infections account for the majority of non-neoplastic disorders.

Evaluation of a modified cholangiographic classification system for primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: There is no uniformly accepted classification system for the range of cholangiographic abnormalities encountered in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The aims of this study were to evaluate a previously developed classification system and to test the hypothesis that the pancreatic duct can be involved in PSC. METHODS: Two observers scored 132 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) from established PSC patients. From 30 patients, subsequent ERCPs were scored and compared with the initial ERCPs. The pancreatic duct was judged with regard to morphologic abnormalities. RESULTS: The classification system was applicable in 107 patients. In 10 ERCPs (7.6%), no clear intrahepatic abnormalities were found; 15 other ERCPs (11.4%) did not show extrahepatic abnormalities. In 30 cases, a subsequent ERCP was judged. The difference in scoring between the initial and the subsequent ERCPs was statistically significant, with the subsequent ERCP having higher intrahepatic and extrahepatic scores. Sixty-four adequately filled pancreatic ducts were analyzed. In two cases (3.1%), morphologic abnormalities were found. CONCLUSIONS: The previously developed scoring system is very applicable for almost all PSC patients when supplemented with a type 0 category. Scoring increased over time, suggesting a correlation with disease severity. The pancreatic duct does not seem to be involved in PSC.

Staging of rectal cancer by double-contrast MR imaging using the rectally administered superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent ferristene and IV gadodiamide injection: results of a multicenter phase II trial.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of double-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with rectal application of the superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent (SPIO) ferristene and IV gadodiamide for preoperative staging of rectal cancer. In a randomized phase II dose-ranging trial, 113 patients were studied preoperatively with one of four different formulations of ferristene (Abdoscan) as an enema before MRI. T1-weighted spin-echo (T1w SE) and T2w turbo spin-echo (TSE) single-contrast images were obtained as well as T1w SE and gradient-echo (GRE) double-contrast images after IV gadodiamide injection (Omniscan). Images were assessed qualitatively, and TNM tumor stage was compared with histopathology. High-viscosity ferristene formulations were superior to low-viscosity formulations in tumor staging (accuracy 90% vs 74%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between high and low iron content ferristene. MRI had a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 50%, and accuracy of 82% for staging of rectal carcinoma higher than T2 stage. At receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, MR differentiation between T1/T2 and T3/T4 tumor stages yielded a ROC index of 0.848. Double-contrast MRI is an accurate method for preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

[Gastrointestinal surgery and gastroenterology. VIII. Gastroenterologic aspects of chronic gastrointestinal ischemia]. / Gastro-intestinale chirurgie en gastro-enterologie. VIII. Gastro-enterologische aspecten van chronische maag-darmischemie.

The main cause of chronic gastrointestinal ischaemia is atherosclerosis. Stenotic lesions of the mesenteric circulation are relatively common, but lead to chronic ischaemic complaints due to collateral circulation in probably only 2-3 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The classical presentation (post-prandial abdominal pain, weight loss, upper abdominal souffle) is present in a minority of patients only. Symptoms also occur after exercise. Gastric ulcers and diarrhoea are less frequent. Although patients with 2 and 3 vessel involvement (coeliac artery, superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery) usually experience the most severe ischemic complaints, patients with single vessel involvement can also develop symptoms. In the diagnosis of cases with abdominal complaints, factors that aggravate or reduce the complaints anamnestically are the guideline for supplementary diagnostics. The more frequent causes of the symptoms are to be excluded first. Doppler-ultrasonography of the mesenteric vessels can detect most stenotic lesions accurately. To establish the diagnosis visceral angiography is needed. A new method of examination is magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Another new method is tonometry during exercise: a PCO2 value in the lumen that is higher than that in the blood indicates ischaemia. Non-invasive treatment of chronic gastrointestinal ischaemia is aimed at reduction of the gastrointestinal metabolic workload by smaller meals, at suppression of acid secretion, at inhibition of the secretion of gastric acid and on risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Percutaneous balloon dilatation for benign hepaticojejunostomy strictures.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon dilatation of biliary tract strictures is generally accepted as a safe and inexpensive procedure. The effectiveness in selected groups of patients remains under discussion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of percutaneous balloon dilatation in patients with a benign stricture of a hepaticojejunostomy. METHODS: Fifteen patients with a benign stricture of a hepaticojejunostomy were examined between 1993 and July 1997. An ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) procedure was performed, followed by a balloon dilatation. Follow-up was performed prospectively by outpatient visits and laboratory testing. RESULTS: Percutaneous dilatation was successful in 14 patients. Three patients developed a recurrence. In one of these patients, the procedure was repeated successfully. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in one patient. The success rate for balloon dilatation in this group of patients was 73% after a mean follow-up of 30 months. When the procedure was repeated, the success rate was 80% after a mean follow-up of 33 months. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous balloon dilatation for benign hepaticojejunostomy strictures is feasible in the majority of patients and produces acceptable medium-term to long-term results. Advantages are its minimal invasive character and the fact that all options remain open in case of failure.

Palliation of patients with esophagogastric neoplasms by insertion of a covered expandable modified Gianturco-Z endoprosthesis: experiences in 153 patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of treatment by insertion of a covered expandable modified Gianturco-Z endoprosthesis (Song stent) in patients with esophagogastric malignancies. METHODS: Consecutive patients with esophagogastric malignancies in whom a Song stent was inserted were included. Data were retrieved retrospectively. Dysphagia before and after stent placement was scored on a 5-point scale. Early (less than 30 days) and late complications (more than 30 days) were scored. RESULTS: Analysis included 164 stents in 153 patients. Indications for stent placement were dysphagia and/or fistulas/perforations. The dysphagia score improved from a mean of 3.7 to 2.2 after stent placement (p < 0.0001). Fistulas/perforations sealed in 87% of cases. Early complications after stent placement occurred in 29.9% of cases. These included stent migration (4.3%), stent obstruction (6. 1%), aspiration pneumonia (4.9%), bleeding (4.3%), perforation (1. 8%), and pain (15.9%). Late complications occurred in 27.8% of cases. These included stent migration (2.6%), stent obstruction (9.6%), aspiration pneumonia (2.6%), bleeding (7.0%), perforation (0.9%), and pain (12.2%). The 30-day mortality was 26%. Death related to stent placement occurred in 3.3%. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a Song expandable endoprosthesis in patients with esophagogastric malignancies significantly improves dysphagia, is successful in sealing fistulas/perforations, and is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.

CT criteria for venous invasion in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate CT criteria for venous invasion in patients with potentially resectable carcinoma of the pancreatic head, with surgical and histopathological correlation. In 113 patients evaluated with spiral CT for suspected pancreatic head carcinoma, several CT criteria for venous invasion were scored prospectively for the portal vein (PV) and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV): length of tumour contact with PV/SMV (0 mm, < 5 mm, > 5 mm); circumferential involvement of the vein (0 degree, 0-90 degrees, 90-180 degrees, > 180 degrees); degree of stenosis; irregularity of the vessel margin; and tumour convexity towards vessel. 65 patients underwent surgery. Pancreatic head carcinoma was proven and pathology of the vascular margin was obtained in 50 of these patients. CT findings for single and combined criteria were correlated with pathology in these 50 patients, 30 of whom showed venous ingrowth. Invasion was found in all cases with SMV narrowing (n = 7), PV contour involvement > 90 degrees (n = 6), PV narrowing (n = 5) and PV wall irregularity (n = 3). The vascular ingrowth rate was 88% (15/17) for tumour concavity towards the PV or SMV. Poor predictors of ingrowth were length of tumour contact with PV > 5 mm (78% ingrowth, 14/18) and contour involvement of the SMV > 90 degrees (83% ingrowth, 10/12). Absence of vascular ingrowth could not be predicted in 100%. In conclusion, CT criteria can predict a high risk of invasion in potentially resectable tumours. Narrowing of the SMV and the PV seems the most reliable criterion, as well as circumferential involvement of the PV > 90 degrees. The best combination of criteria was tumour concavity with circumferential involvement > 90 degrees (sensitivity 60% and positive predictive value 90%).

Imaging and staging of biliopancreatic malignancy: role of ultrasound.

Most patients with a pancreatic head carcinoma, periampullary carcinoma or a cholangiocarcinoma of the liver hilum (Klatskin tumor) present with obstructive jaundice and therefore ultrasound often is the first imaging modality. Visualization is sufficient in more than 90% of cases for adequate diagnosis and staging. Even most small papillary tumors can be diagnosed with conventional abdominal ultrasound. In pancreatic head and periampullary carcinoma vascular involvement is the most important determinant for local irresectability and can often be assessed by color Doppler US. An abnormal pulsed Doppler signal obtained from the portal venous system due to severe narrowing or occlusion is highly suspicious for major involvement and irresectability of the tumor. However, a normal pulsed Doppler signal does not exclude involvement, if the tumor has continuity with the vessel with interruption of the hyperechoic tumor vessel interface. Enlarged lymph nodes are not a major diagnostic parameter, because a reliable differentiation between reactive and malignant lymph nodes is generally not possible. Very tiny liver and peritoneal metastases are missed by abdominal US and only detectable by laparoscopy and/or laparascopic US. In cholangiocarcinoma of the liver hilum extensive biliary and vascular involvement are considered the most important factors for determining irresectability. Portal venous involvement can be assessed by color Doppler US with a high accuracy (91%). Although cholangiography (ERCP and PTC) is considered the best imaging modality in detecting proximal extension of the tumor into the biliary system US can provide useful additional information. If dilated ducts are seen without clear communication among each other within a liver lobe, extension of the tumor into the segmental bile ducts can be concluded. We consider color Doppler US, a valuable tool for preoperative imaging and staging of biliopancreatic malignancy.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma as a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.

Differentiating primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) from cholangiocarcinoma (CC) can be a diagnostic challenge with major therapeutic implications. In case of advanced or symptomatic PSC, liver transplantation (OLTx) can be life saving with excellent long-term outcome. However, the outcome of CC diagnosed prior or during OLTx is dismal. PSC is a premalignant condition associated with a risk of developing cholangio- or hepatocellular carcinoma in > 15% of patients. Imaging diagnoses should be integrated into the further clinical data. It is the sudden, rapid and irreversible deterioration of the patient's condition, and the rapid progression of cholangiographic abnormalities, which may strongly point towards a malignancy or a malignant evolution in case of PSC. Brush cytology, (guided) biopsy, and tumor markers such as Ca 19.9 and CEA levels can be of some help, but confirmation of malignancy is often associated with a poor outcome and exclusion from liver transplantation. Clinical deterioration of the PSC patient and signs indicating advanced liver damage are a justification to evaluate patients for liver transplantation. Early transplantation should be considered in appropriate patients.

Spiral computed tomography for preoperative staging of potentially resectable carcinoma of the pancreatic head.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is often locally invasive. Preoperative staging attempts to identify patients suitable for resection, in order to minimize unnecessary operations. The aim of this study was to assess the improved imaging provided by spiral computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative staging of potentially resectable pancreatic head carcinoma. METHODS: In 56 consecutive patients with pancreatic head carcinoma spiral CT findings were correlated prospectively with operative and histopathological findings. Criteria for irresectability at CT were infiltration of the peripancreatic fat and vascular ingrowth grade D, on a scale from A to F. RESULTS: At operation 27 (48 per cent) of 56 tumours were irresectable. Small metastases were found in seven patients (12 per cent). Ingrowth (adherence) to the portal or mesenteric vein was present in 19 patients (34 per cent). The sensitivity and specificity of CT for irresectability were 78 and 76 per cent respectively. Resection rates with a vascular margin free of tumour were 100 per cent for grade A, 63 per cent for grade B, 44 per cent for grade C, 15 per cent for grade D and 0 per cent for grade E, with a predictive value for ingrowth of 88 per cent for grades D or higher. The resectability rate was 11 per cent (one of nine) when infiltration of the anterior peripancreatic fat was present and 67 per cent when infiltration was absent (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Spiral CT with thin slices seems to improve detection of distant metastases and vascular ingrowth in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography for abdominal tumor staging.

In recent years, laparoscopic ultrasonography has been introduced as an adjunct to diagnostic laparoscopy for staging of tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tree, and pancreas. It has proved feasible to visualize most anatomic structures in the upper abdomen consistently and in detail with laparoscopic ultrasonography. Recent publications indicate that laparoscopic ultrasonography may be useful for detecting small liver metastases, lymph node metastases, small primary tumors of the pancreas and bile ducts, and for the assessment of the local extension of tumors of the pancreas and stomach. The ongoing improvements in US technology and the results of larger studies will in the near future determine the precise place of this new imaging modality for staging of abdominal tumors.

[Acute hemorrhage from the lower digestive tract: a search for the source]. / Acute lage tractus-digestivusbloeding: de zoektocht naar de bron.

In four patients, women aged 65 and 86 years and men aged 22 and 46 years, admitted with profuse loss of fresh blood per anum, acute haemorrhage in the lower gastrointestinal tract was diagnosed. A systematic diagnostic and therapeutic strategy increases the possibility of localising the bleeding site in such patients. Urgent colonoscopy after oral purge for cleansing the colon of stool is feasible, safe and often both diagnostic and therapeutic. Dependent on local expertise, erythrocyte scintigraphy and (or) mesenteric angiography can further improve the locating of the bleeding site. However, in 10% of the patients the bleeding site remains unclear. In these cases surgical intervention may be necessary. Additional peroperative endoscopy, injection of methylene blue via a selective catheter or the construction of multiple stomas can be helpful. Blind colon resections should be avoided. The localisations in the four patients were: angiodysplastic focus in the caecum, a superficially eroded vein in the ileum, a Meckel's diverticulum, and multifocal vasculitis.

Incidence and clinical findings of benign, inflammatory disease in patients resected for presumed pancreatic head cancer.

BACKGROUND: The differentiation between cancer and benign disease in the pancreatic head is difficult. The aim of this study was to examine common features in a group of patients that had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy for a benign, inflammatory lesion misdiagnosed as pancreatic head cancer. METHODS: Among 220 pancreatoduodenectomies performed on the suspiscion of pancreatic head cancer, an inflammatory lesion in the pancreas or distal common bile duct was diagnosed in 14 patients (6%). Of these patients, all preoperative clinical information and radiologic images (ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography [ERCP]) were critically reassessed. For each examination, the suspicion of cancer was scored on a 0/+/++ scale. RESULTS: Clinical presentation (pain, weight loss, jaundice) raised a suspicion of cancer in 12 patients. On ultrasound, a tumor (mean size: 2.8 cm) was found in the pancreatic head in 13 patients; 12 of 14 ultrasound examinations raised a suspicion of cancer. ERCP showed a distal common bile duct stenosis (length: 1 to 4 cm), stenosis of the pancreatic duct (length: 1 to 5 cm), or a "double duct" stenosis, suspicious for cancer in 13 evaluable patients. The overall index of suspicion was + in seven patients and ++ in seven patients, confirming the initial interpretation of preoperative data. CONCLUSION: When undertaking pancreatoduodenectomy for a suspicious lesion in the pancreatic head, it is necessary to expect at least a 5% chance of resecting a benign, inflammatory lesion masquerading as cancer.

Dynamic rectal examination: its significant clinical value.

The aim of the present study was to carry out a proper correlation between patients' clinical symptoms and the radiological findings obtained by dynamic rectal examination (DRE). At DRE, the small bowel and in females the vagina are routinely opacified in addition to defecography. A prospective study of 248 consecutive patients (193 women and 55 men, ratio 3.5:1) and 14 control subjects was conducted. The parameters assessed included the anorectal angle, the position of the anorectal junction, and the total movement of the pelvic floor during squeezing and defecation. Anatomical changes as rectoceles, enteroceles and intussusceptions were also observed. Based on the findings, the following conclusions can be drawn. There is no indication for measurement of the central or posterior anorectal angle. There is no indication for measurement of the perineal ascent, perineal descent, and anorectal junction level. Anterior rectoceles occur very frequently in females, and are only of clinical relevance if the patients need digital vaginal support to facilitate defecation. DRE is a sensitive method for diagnosing enteroceles and intussusceptions.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography for abdominal tumor staging: technical aspects and imaging findings.

Since 1992 diagnostic laparoscopy combined with laparoscopic ultrasonography has been performed in our center in more than 300 patients for staging of tumors of the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, esophagus, and gastric cardia. In this article our experience with laparoscopic ultrasonography for abdominal tumor staging is described, with particular attention for the technical aspects, imaging findings, limitations, and pitfalls.

Value of laparoscopic ultrasonography in staging of proximal bile duct tumors.

The additional value of laparoscopic ultrasonography was evaluated prospectively in 35 patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for a suspected potentially resectable proximal bile duct tumor. Findings were compared with transabdominal ultrasonography, laparoscopy, surgery, and pathology. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was able to visualize the presence and origin of small bile duct tumors or stones and small liver metastases, which could not be seen or could be visualized only doubtfully by ultrasonography and laparoscopy. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was more useful in staging of small tumors of the gallbladder or proximal common bile duct than in staging bifurcation (Klatskin) tumors. Additional information provided by laparoscopic ultrasonography led to a change in diagnosis or tumor stage in eight patients (23%) and to avoidance of laparotomy in three patients (9%).