Pancreatic steatosis: A frequent finding in a Chilean population.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Pancreatic steatosis is an incidental radiologic finding in asymptomatic patients, and its clinical importance is unclear. PRIMARY AIM: to study the prevalence of pancreatic steatosis (PS) in consecutive patients registered at our hospital, that underwent computed axial tomography (CAT) scanning of the abdomen and pelvis, excluding known pancreatic diseases. Secondary aim: to review the association of PS with the demographic and clinical data of the patients, as well as with hepatic steatosis (HS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted on adult patients that had CAT scans of the abdomen and pelvis. DEFINITIONS: a) tissue density was measured in Hounsfield units (HU) in five 1 cm2 areas of the pancreas, three areas of the spleen, and in segments VI and VII of the liver; b) fatty pancreas: a difference < -10 HU between the mean pancreas and mean spleen densities; and c) fatty liver: density < 40 HU. We registered the epidemiologic and laboratory data of the patients. The association of those factors with the presence of PS was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 software, and statistical significance was set at a p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients, PS was found in 61 (30%). The patients with PS were significantly older and had a higher body mass index. We found no significant association with the rest of the parameters studied, nor with HS (55 patients). None of the patients had symptoms attributable to a disease of the exocrine pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Fatty infiltration of the pancreas is a frequent finding in CAT scans, and its clinical importance is unclear. Aging of the population and the increase in obesity underline the need for future studies on PS.

[Digestive refeeding in acute pancreatitis. When and how?]. / Realimentacion digestiva en pancreatitis aguda. Cuándo y cómo?

BACKGROUND: Digestive refeeding in acute pancreatitis represent a difficult issue. It requires the resolution of intestinal ileus and carries a risk of reactivation. AIM: To evaluate criteria that may guide in early refeeding avoiding unnecessary prolonged fasting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with acute pancreatitis were evaluated in a prospective trial. The severity of the pancreatitis was evaluated according to APACHE II score and Balthazar CT scan alterations. The criteria proposed to start early refeeding were absence of nausea and vomiting, decreased abdominal pain, presence of bowel sounds and lowering of serum amylase levels. Balthazar CT scan classification, was used to decide between oral or enteral refeeding. RESULTS: Eighty percent of patients had alterations in pancreatic density, necrosis or pancreatic or peripancreatic liquid collections in the CT scan (corresponding to Balthazar stages C, D, or E). Ten patients fullfilled the criteria for enteral refeeding at 8.1 +/- 3.5 days (range 3 to 15 days), and 21 patients fulfilled criteria fo enteral refeeding at 8.7 +/- 4.5 (range 4-19). No patient had a reactivation of his pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Digestive refeeding can be done safely by using the criteria proposed in this study. Pancreatic necrosis or peripancreatic fluid collections do not contraindicate refeeding. Oral feeding may be employed (as the first option) in selected patients, without increasing the risk of complication, regardless of CT scan alterations of the pancreas.

[heparin and insulin treatment of acute pancreatitis caused by hypertriglyceridemia. Experience of 5 cases]. / Heparina e insulina en el tratamiento de la pancreatitis aguda por hipertrigliceridemia. Experiencia en 5 casos.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia over 1,000 mg/dl can provoke acute pancreatitis and its persistence can worsen the clinical outcome. On the contrary, a rapid decrease in triglyceride level is beneficial. Plasmapheresis has been performed in some patients to remove chylomicrons from the circulation, while heparin and/or insulin have been administered in some other cases to rapidly reduce blood triglycerides. Heparin and insulin stimulate lipoprotein-lipase activity and accelerate chylomicron degradation. AIM: To report five patients with acute pancreatitis treated with heparin and insulin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients (4 females and 1 male) seen in the last two years, who suffered acute pancreatitis induced by hypertriglyceridemia are reported. Initial blood triglyceride levels were above 1,000 mg/dl (range 1,590-8,690 mg/dl). Besides the usual treatment of acute pancreatitis, heparin and/or insulin were administered intravenously in continuous infusion. Heparin dose was guided by usual parameters of blood coagulation, and insulin dose, by serial determinations of blood glucose. Pancreatic necrosis was demonstrated in 4 patients. RESULTS: Serum triglyceride levels decreased to < 500 mg/dl within 3 days in all cases. No complication of treatment was observed and all patients survived. Early and late complications of pancreatitis occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: Administration of heparin and/or insulin is an efficient alternative to reduce triglyceride levels in patients with acute pancreatitis and hypertriglyceridemia.

[Long nasojejunal feeding tube: endoscopic method for placing and its use for enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis]. / Sonda nasoyeyunal larga: método endoscópico de colocación y su utilidad en el manejo nutricional de la pancreatitis aguda.

BACKGROUND: Enteral nutrition can be useful for the feeding of patients with acute pancreatitis, specially in the later phases of the disease. AIM: To describe an endoscopic placement method for long nasojejunal tubes and assess its efficacy. To communicate a preliminary experience with enteral nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An endoscopic placement method for nasojejunal tubes is described. In 24 patients with acute pancreatitis, 28 tubes were placed using this method, after the second week of evolution. In 15 patients with brain damage, traditional nasojejunal feeding tubes were placed without endoscopy. The position of both types of tubes was determined by fluoroscopy with the aid of contrast media. RESULTS: The endoscopic placement method was simple and the tube was placed beyond the ligament of Treitz in all patients. No traditional tube was placed in the jejunum and contrast media filled the duodenum in all cases. In patients with acute pancreatitis, enteral nutrition was well tolerated, 5 patients had a higher stool frequency and one, had an asymptomatic increase in serum amilase levels. CONCLUSIONS: Long nasojejunal tubes can be easily placed beyond the ligament of Treitz with endoscopic aid and can be used for enteral feeding in patients with acute pancreatitis.

[Endoscopic manometry of Oddi's sphincter]. / Manometría endoscópica del esfínter de Oddi.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic manometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. AIM: To report the results of the first 30 endoscopic manometries of sphincter of Oddi performed in a Gastroenterology Service. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty manometries were performed in 28 patients aged 30 to 70 years old (14 females). The papilla was cannulated with a perfused catheter, measuring pressure with external transducers. RESULTS: Deep cannulation of the papilla was achieved in 88%. Procedure-related complications were not observed in these cases. Normal values were registered in 11 cases with a basal sphincter pressure 15.6 +/- 10.7 mm Hg, contractions with an amplitude of 92.3 +/- 35.7 mm Hg and 6.0 +/- 2.4/min frequency. The clinical suspicion of hypertonic dyskinesis was confirmed in 5 cases with an elevated basal pressure of 43.69 +/- 13.3 mm Hg, an increased frequency of contractions ("tachyoddia") in one, and large spastic contractions of high pressure in other case. In 3 of 5 cases with common bile duct stones, a predominance of retrograde propagation of the contractions was observed with normal pressure. Variable manometric results were observed after endoscopic papillotomy observing a scale from the complete absence of motor activity to normal sphincter function. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic manometry is a reasonably safe method, of great importance in the diagnosis of functional disorders of the sphincter of Oddi.