Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall associated with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Clinical features, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic management in a retrospective multicenter series of 23 patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to collect data from patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis and cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall in order to better understand the outcome after medical, endoscopic and/or surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data from medical records of 23 patients consecutively seen in ten primary referral centers from January 1990 to July 2004 were studied. Clinical, biological, and endoscopic features as well as imaging findings were recorded. Response to treatment was noted. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (20 men), aged 45 years (range: 30-66), with chronic alcohol intake, cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall, and previously known (N=14) or simultaneously diagnosed (N=9) chronic pancreatitis were included. Symptoms most frequently encountered were abdominal pain (N=22) and weight loss (N=16). An abdominal ultrasound was available for 10 patients, abdominal computed tomography for 22, upper endoscopy for 18, and endoscopic ultrasonography for 22. Endoscopic ultrasonography enabled diagnosis of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall in 19/22 patients. Six patients were symptom-free after alcohol withdrawal. Seven patients received octreotide 200 to 400 microg per day, 5 of whom subsequently underwent surgery (71%). Fourteen patients out of 23 were operated on (61%), 11 of whom underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and remained symptom-free for 47 months follow-up. Mean follow-up was 56 months (range: 2-78) for non surgical patients (39%) and 47 months (range: 12-108) for surgical patients (61%). CONCLUSION: Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall complicating chronic alcoholic pancreatitis may be the revealing sign of pancreatitis. Endoscopic ultrasongraphy is the most reliable imaging method for diagnosis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the most frequently employed definitive treatment.

[Alpha-fetoprotein-producing poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma: hepatoid carcinoma?]. / Adénocarcinome gastrique peu différencié produisant de l'alfafoetoprotéine: tumeur hépatoïde?

We report the case of a 42-Year-old man with a poorly differentiated gastric cancer revealed by a very high level of serum alpha-fetoprotein-protein, associated with liver metastasis, and treated by chemotherapy. We discuss the possible diagnosis of hepatoid carcinoma.

[Acute tubular necrosis with acute renal failure during the first month of treatment with 5-amino-salicylate (Pentasa(R))]. / Insuffisance rénale aiguë par nécrose tubulaire aiguë au cours du premier mois de traitement par l'acide 5-amino-salicylique (Pentasa(R)).

We report a case of acute tubular necrosis in a patient with Crohn's disease treated by 5-amino-salicylate (Pentasa(R)) since one month. Normalization of renal biological parameters occurred rapidly after treatment withdrawal. This case raises the question of the optimal modalities of monitoring of renal function during treatment with 5-amino-salicylate.