Safety, feasibility, and tolerability of ileocolonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Ileocolonoscopy including biopsies is the first-line investigation in the diagnosis, management, and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, data on its safety, feasibility, and tolerability, especially in patients with extensive or severe inflammation, are rare. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the risks of ileocolonoscopy in relation to various disease patterns and to compare possible burdens of the procedure in the endoscopist's and the patient's perception. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed a total of 558 consecutive patients, 482 with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD and 76 with suspected IBD. Data were recorded regarding the indication for ileocolonoscopy, sedation, procedure time, completion rate, feasibility of the procedure, patient tolerance, and procedure-related and postprocedure complications. Endoscopic data included the region involved, the nature of the involvement, activity of the disease, and number of biopsies. RESULTS: In 558 endoscopic procedures performed by 14 gastroenterologists no procedure-related deaths occurred. Major complications, defined as bleeding (n = 1) or perforation (n = 3), occurred in 4/558 patients (0.7 %). Minor complications, which included intense flatulence, tachycardia, allergic reaction to a sedation drug, and autonomic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and intense perspiration, occurred in 22/558 patients (3.9 %). There was no relationship between the complication rate and the activity of the disease. Mean procedure time was 21.0 minutes and the completion rate, defined by intubation of the terminal ileum, was 94.6 %. We documented a high tolerability independent of the severity of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ileocolonoscopy is a safe and feasible procedure in patients with IBD and is well tolerated by patients when carried out by well-trained endoscopists.

[Bile acid-independent effect of hymecromone on bile secretion and common bile duct motility]. / Gallensäure-unabhängige Wirkung von Hymecromon auf die Gallesekretion und die Motilität der Gallenwege.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hymecromone (4-methyl-umbiliferone) has been used for more than 20 years for the treatment of functional and obstructive spasms of the biliary tract. Its mode of action however is still largely unknown. We investigated the effect of 4-methyl-umbiliferone p. o. and i. v. on gall bladder and common bile duct motility and studied potentially indirect effects via alterations in bile acid metabolism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers, aged 25 - 37, 10 males, 10 females, were included into a Placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over double-blind study. Subjects were treated with 800 mg hymecromone p. o.; in addition a standardized meal (Biloptin, 40 gs) was given. Gall bladder volume and common bile duct diameter were determined by ultrasound. Conjugated and unconjugated bile acids were analysed by gas chromatography. Additionally, in a third open label phase hymecromone was given i. v. RESULTS: Common bile duct diameter was significantly larger after a standard meal with hymecromone given p. o. or i. v. than with placebo (each p < 0.01). However, alterations in gall bladder volume after a standard meal were not different between placebo and hymecromone (p. o. or i. v.). Unconjugated and conjugated bile acids rose after standard meal in all three groups without significant differences between hymecromone and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Hymecromone was associated with significant dilation of the common bile duct. In contrast to previous reports an effect of hymecromone on gall bladder motility could not be observed. The unchanged values of bile acids in serum after hymecromone compared to placebo, together with the dilatation of the common bile duct after hymecromone, may indicate a bile acid-independent effect of hymecromone on bile secretion.

[Diverticulosis and diverticulitis]. / Divertikulose und Divertikulitis.

Alterations in the colon wall, motility disorders, and certain nutritional habits are the essential factors in the development of colon diverticula. Thus, with advancing age this results in a high incidence in Western industrialized countries. The clinical picture is usually one of symptom-free diverticulosis. Diverticular disease can be associated with minor symptoms, but in complicated cases with diverticulitis and diverticular hemorrhage, it is potentially fatal. Further complications include abscess formation, fistula development, and obstruction. Barium double-contrast imaging exhibits the highest diagnostic sensitivity in diverticulosis but is contraindicated in cases of suspected complicated diverticular disease due to the danger of perforation. In these instances, sonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging are performed. For diverticular hemorrhage, coloscopy not only represents a possible diagnostic tool but also a therapeutic option for various techniques of hemostasis. Treatment of diverticulitis and its complications requires careful consideration of conservative and surgical approaches and close interdisciplinary cooperation.

Chronic diarrhea as a result of intestinal microsposidiosis in a liver transplant recipient.

BACKGROUND: Microsporidia are common pathogens among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. They account for a substantial proportion of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but their appearance after solid organ transplantation has only rarely been reported. Methods. We report what we believe is the first case of documented Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in a liver transplant recipient. Results. Our patient presented with chronic diarrhea and colicky abdominal pain. Although symptoms were severe, only mild microscopical mucosal changes were found in the intestinal tract. A modified trichrome stain of stool specimens revealed microsporidial spores, and species differentiation by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction identified Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Albendazole therapy brought symptomatic relief but no microbiological clearance. CONCLUSIONS: Enterocytozoon bieneusi may cause chronic diarrhea not only in immunosuppression as a result of human immunodeficiency virus infection but also among patients with therapeutic immunosuppression after organ transplantation. Therefore, microsporidial infection should be considered in immunosuppressed patients with otherwise unexplained diarrhea.

Liver transplantation from controlled non-heart-beating donors.

BACKGROUND: The use of organs from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) has been proposed as one way to increase the donor pool. However, few centers have transplanted livers from NHBDs. We report here the results of 19 liver transplants from controlled NHBDs. METHODS: From January 1993 through August 1999, 364 liver transplantations were performed from heart-beating donors (HBDs) and 19 liver transplantations were performed from NHBDs. Donor and recipient characteristics, posttransplant complications, and patient and allograft survival were compared. RESULTS: No differences in hepatic artery, portal vein, or biliary complications were noted between the groups. However, the rate of primary nonfunction was higher in recipients of livers from NHBDs (10.5% vs. 1.3%; P = .04). No difference in patient survival was seen between recipients of NHBDs or HBDs (72.6% vs. 84.8%; P =.36); however, allograft survival was lower in recipients who received livers from NHBDs (53.8% vs. 80.9%; P =.007). CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation from controlled NHBDs results in similar patient survival and post-transplant complications. However, primary nonfunction was higher and allograft survival was less in recipients of livers from NHBDs. The results of liver transplantation from controlled NHBDs are encouraging and should continue to be cautiously pursued as one way to help alleviate the current shortage of donor livers.

[Patient suffers from insomnia. Proscribing bed rest]. / Patient leidet unter Schlaflosigkeit. Erteilen Sie ihm Bettverbot!

Roughly every fifth patient attending the doctor's office complains of insomnia. The first thing that needs to be done is to determine whether a particular patient has primary insomnia of pathological significance, or a temporary disturbance of his/her sense of well-being, or whether the sleep disorder is a secondary consequence of some other somatic or psychiatric condition. For the treatment of insomnia in the doctor's office, a number of basic rules derived from behavioral medicine can be recommended, for example systematic self-observation and record-keeping in a sleep diary, reassurance as to the harmlessness of a temporary sleep problem, practicing relaxation to reduce the general level of activity, reduction of the time spent in bed, and sleep-deprivation treatment. For all of these forms of treatment, a good doctor-patient relationship is mandatory, in particular when--as is to be expected--setbacks occur, which should not be dramatized. A diagnosis-treatment diagram is presented, in which proposals for medication should also be integrated.

Retreatment with interferon-alpha and ribavirin in primary interferon-alpha non-responders with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combination therapy with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) plus ribavirin is more efficacious than IFN-alpha monotherapy in previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C and patients with IFN-alpha relapse. Only limited data are available in IFN-alpha non-responders. In a multicenter trial we therefore evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy in IFN-alpha-resistant chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Eighty-two patients (mean age 46.8 years, 54 males, 28 females) with chronic hepatitis C were treated with IFN-alpha-2a (3 x 6 MIU/week) and ribavirin (14 mg/kg daily) for 12 weeks. Thereafter, treatment was continued only in virological responders (undetectable serum HCV RNA at week 12) with an IFN-alpha dose of 3 x 3 MIU/week and without ribavirin for a further 9 months. The primary study endpoint was an undetectable HCV RNA by RT-PCR at the end of the 24-week follow-up period. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of combination therapy, an initial virological response was observed in 29 of 82 (35.4%) patients. Due to a high breakthrough rate after IFN-alpha dose reduction and ribavirin discontinuation, an end-of-treatment response was only achieved in 12 of 82 (14.6%) patients. After the follow-up period, a sustained virological response was observed in 8 of 82 (9.8%) patients. Infection with HCV genotype 3 was the only pretreatment parameter, which could predict a sustained response (HCV-1, 5%; HCV-3, 57.1%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high initial response rate of 35.4%, sustained viral clearance was achieved only in 9.8% of the retreated primary IFN-alpha non-responders. Higher IFN-alpha induction and maintenance dose, as well as prolonged ribavirin treatment may possibly increase the virological response rates in non-responders, particularly in those infected by HCV-1.

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation from controlled non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs).

From January 1993 through June 1999, 18 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants (SPKs) were performed from controlled non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) and 339 SPKs were performed from heart-beating donors (HBDs). No difference in donor characteristics was noted except for warm ischemic time, which was 14.8 min (range 4-46 min) for NHBDs. Following transplantation, no difference in pancreatic function was noted; however, a higher rate of enteric conversions was seen in pancreas transplants from NHBDs (32% vs. 13%; p < 0.01). Hemodialysis for acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was higher in kidney transplants from NHBDs (22.2% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.009) as was discharge serum creatinine (1.7 mg/dl vs. 1.5 mg/dl; p < 0.05). Also, the number of patients remaining rejection free was lower for NHBDs and approached significance (33.3% vs. 50.1%; p = 0.07). However, no difference in patient survival (100% vs. 95.4%) or pancreatic (87.4% vs. 86.5%) and renal (86.3% vs. 86.3%) allograft survival was noted during the study period. Our results indicate that SPK transplantation from controlled NHBDs is a viable method for increasing the number of pancreas and kidney transplants available for transplantation.