The adenoma-carcinoma sequence applies to epithelial tumours of the papilla of Vater.

Adenomas of the papilla of Vater are relatively rare tumours. They are of particular interest, not only because of their particular topography, but also because the adenoma-carcinoma sequence - accepted in the colorectum - has also been postulated to apply to the papilla of Vater. In fact, ampullary adenoma is often considered to be a precancerous lesion. To investigate this hypothesis, we reviewed the surgical specimens obtained during Whipple's procedures carried out to treat histologically confirmed carcinoma of the ampulla. A total of 37 surgical specimens obtained since January 1991 were reexamined for the presence of coexisting adenomatous structures. Such adenomatous residues were confirmed in 24/37 (65 %) cases. In 13/37 (35 %) cases, no residual adenoma was found. A comparison of the two groups revealed that detection of coexisting adenomatous structures decreased with increasing tumour progression. In similar manner, this also applied to the degree of malignancy: with increasing grade of malignancy the rate of detectable adenomatous structures decreased significantly. It may be assumed that these observations are due to the 'overgrowth' of preexisting adenomas by carcinomatous tissue. Further evidence is provided by the histological observation of transitional stages from adenoma with mild, moderate and severe cellular atypia to invasive carcinoma. These findings support the hypothesis of an adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

[The Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome. A rare differential diagnosis of generalized gastrointestinal polyposis]. / Das Cronkhite-Canada-Syndrom. Eine seltene Differentialdiagnose der generalisierten gastrointestinalen Polyposis.

HISTORY AND FINDINGS: A 56-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of chronic diarrhoea. 15 months earlier he had begun to notice changes in taste sensation, then nail discoloration and dystrophy as well as alopecia areata. On examination he was also found to have lower leg oedema and cutaneous hyperpigmentation. INVESTIGATIONS: Biochemical tests showed hypoproteinaemia with reduced serum total protein (4.2 g/dl) and albumin concentrations (2.0 g/dl), hypokalemia and hypocalcaemia, as well as zinc and vitamin B12 deficiency. Stool alpha 1-antitrypsin was raised to 5.9 mg/g. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 17/26 mm and C-reactive protein was raised to 6.9 mg/dl. Gastroscopy, coloscopy and small-intestine double contrast radiology (after Sellink) demonstrated multiple polyps, histologically revealing pseudopolypoid-inflammatory changes with cystic dilatation, consistent with Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS), a condition characterised by the described endoscopic, radiological and histomorphological changes together with the characteristic ectodermal abnormalities. TREATMENT AND COURSE: At first only symptomatic measures were taken: fluid, electrolyte and protein infusions and administration of zinc and vitamin B12. Stool frequency was regulated by diet and medication. The patient was discharged in much improved general condition and closely followed clinically and endoscopically because of the relatively poor prognosis and frequent occurrence of adenomatous polyps which are at a high risk of malignant degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: In the differential diagnosis of generalised intestinal polyposis only careful investigation by endoscopy and radiology of the entire gastrointestinal tract with biopsies can identify CCS. While treatment is largely symptomatic, its poor prognosis calls for new therapeutic measures.

Injection of fibrin tissue adhesive versus laser photocoagulation in the treatment of high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers: a controlled randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A controlled and randomized multicenter study was carried out in order to compare the efficacy of fibrin sealant and Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation in patients with high-risk arterial bleeding from peptic ulcers of the stomach and the small intestine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In four teaching hospitals, 53 patients presenting with either active arterial ulcer bleeding (Forrest class 1 a) or a large visible vessel in the ulcer base (diameter over 2 mm, Forrest class 2 a) were treated with infiltration of epinephrine 1: 10,000 followed by the injection of fibrin tissue adhesive (n = 28), or with epinephrine plus laser photocoagulation (n = 25). Permanent hemostasis for at least seven days served as the principal end point; rebleeding, emergency surgery, and hospital mortality served as further end points. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of age, risk factors, initial hemoglobin values, number of patients showing signs of hemodynamic impairment, ulcer size and localization, or bleeding activity. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all patients. Rebleeding rates were seven of 28 and four of 25 among the patients treated with fibrin sealant and laser coagulation, respectively (not significant). There were no significant differences regarding the rates of ultimate hemostasis (24 of 28 vs. 24 of 25), emergency surgery (four of 28 vs. one of 25), or hospital mortality (0 vs. two of 25). No complications occurred with either form of treatment. Patients who had a visible vessel in the ulcer floor at the first control endoscopy had a significantly higher incidence of rebleeding, regardless of the type of endoscopic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both the injection of fibrin tissue adhesive and laser photocoagulation are effective methods of treating high-risk arterial peptic ulcer bleeding. As the number of high-risk patients necessary to reach significance are difficult to recruit within a reasonable period even in a multicenter study, a new meta-analysis of all studies now available should be considered.

[Distal stenosis of the choledochus in chronic pancreatitis: endoscopic drainage or operation?]. / Die distale Choledochusstenose bei der chronischen Pankreatitis: Endoskopische Drainage oder Operation?

With the less invasive techniques for complications regarding chronic pancreatitis, such as tubular choledochostenosis, the endoscopic transpapillary bile drainage therapy by means of endoprosthesis has undergone an enlargement of its indications range. Blocked and dislocated prostheses, however, further raise the already existing possibility of septic complications. With 15 out of 43 patients undergoing medium-term endodrainage treatment, we observed different resulting conditions of chronic cholestasis, such as abscess-forming cholangitis, hepatic abscesses, retroperitoneal phlegmon and sepsis up to biliary cirrhosis. Thus, in the case of chronic pancreatitis we still regard choledochostenosis- which, due to scarring, is mostly fixed-as a primary indication for operation.

Endoscopic aspects of choledochoceles.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To date, since so little information has been published on the incidence of choledochoceles, we undertook a retrospective study of the incidence of choledochoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 9,850 patients who had been submitted to ERCP investigation in our department, the medical histories of the patients found to have choledochoceles were analysed. RESULTS: Ten out of the 9,850 had a choledochocele, 3 of which were symptomatic, 3 questionably symptomatic and 4 asymptomatic. In 6 patients with symptomatic or questionably symptomatic choledochoceles, endoscopic treatment in the form of endoscopic papillotomy was carried out. Following this intervention, 4 of the patients became symptom-free. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller choledochoceles tend to be asymptomatic while the larger are symptomatic. The diagnostic method of choice in ERCP.

Pantoprazole is superior to ranitidine in the treatment of acute gastric ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Pantoprazole is a newly developed gastric H+/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor with a potent and long-acting inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion. METHODS: In a double-blind multicenter study with 28 centers in Germany, pantoprazole (40 mg before breakfast) was compared with ranitidine (300 mg at bedtime) with regard to healing rates, time until healing, symptom relief, and tolerability. A total of 248 outpatients with benign gastric ulcer were included. RESULTS: The healing rates after 2, 4, and 8 weeks were 37%, 87%, and 97%, respectively, in the pantoprazole and 19%, 58%, and 80% in the ranitidine group. The differences between the two groups were significant at 2 weeks (p < 0.01), 4 weeks (p < 0.001), and 8 weeks (p < 0.001; Cochran/Mantel-Haenszel method). Ulcer healing proceeded significantly faster with pantoprazole (p < 0.001; Uleman's U-test). Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Pantoprazole appears to be superior to ranitidine in gastric ulcer healing.

Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Mirizzi's syndrome.

Mirizzi's syndrome is an unusual complication of cholelithiasis which results when an impacted cystic duct stone causes edema and compression of the adjacent common hepatic duct. The authors report the successful treatment of a patient with this syndrome by laparoscopic means. A flexible 5.0 mm choledochoscope was inserted under laparoscopic guidance into the dilated proximal cystic duct and the impacted stone was extracted. Though still a technically demanding procedure, the authors feel that under certain conditions, laparoscopic surgery may represent the preferred initial approach to patients with Mirizzi's syndrome.

[Laser therapy of colorectal tumors]. / Lasertherapie bei kolorektalen Tumoren.

Between Jan. 1, 1986 and March 31, 1988 a total of 128 patients with tumours of the colon and rectum were treated by Nd-Yag laser at Nürnberg City Hospital. There were 36 benign and 92 malignant lesions. The indications for laser therapy were stenosis, bleeding, spasms of the pelvic floor and increased mucous production. Initial control of these problems could be achieved in 105 patients (82%), however, the symptoms recurred in 50% of the malignant and 47% of the benign tumours. Complications of laser treatment were encountered in 13 patients necessitating an operative intervention in 6. In all, 34 patients underwent additional surgery after laser treatment. Most frequently, a diverting colostomy had to be provided (n = 18) while 12 patients underwent anterior resection; in three an abdomino-perineal resection was performed and in one patient a Hartman procedure was necessary. The median observation time of patients with benign tumours is, at present, 16 months with 72% being free of disease. In malignant tumours the median survival time of patients with laser therapy only is 4.5 months; those with additional surgical treatment survived a median of 17.5 months.

[Early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in acute pancreatitis]. / Früh-ERCP bei akuter Pankreatitis.

Based on a prospective trial on 91 patients diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of ERCP in the early phase of acute pancreatitis was carried out. Detection of biliary stone disease and visualization of tumours of the papilla or main bile duct leads to therapeutic consequences (Papillotomy, exstirpation of the tumour). In addition to that, ERCP yields radiomorphologic informations, which seem to be typical for necrotizing pancreatitis. Showing a correlation to severity and prognosis of necrotizing pancreatitis these informations can be used for planning surgical tactics in the course of the disease.