Endoscopic laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones: is cholangioscopic guidance necessary?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillotomy is successful in more than 95% of the cases of choledocholithiasis. For patients with difficult bile duct stones not responding to mechanical lithotripsy, different methods for stone fragmentation have been developed. AIM: To compare the results of laser lithotripsy with a stone-tissue recognizing system, when guided by fluoroscopy only or by cholangioscopy. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002 we have treated 89 patients with difficult bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laser lithotripsy. Unsuccessful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and electrohydraulic were also performed before laser in 35% and 26% of the cases, respectively. RESULTS: Laser was effective in 79.2% of 72 patients guided by cholangioscopy and in 82.4% of 17 cases steered by fluoroscopy. The median number of impulses in the latter was 4,335 and 1,800 with the former technique. Two parameters influenced the manner of laser guidance. In cases of stones situated above a stricture, cholangioscopic control was more effective (64.7% vs. 31.9%). When the stones were in the distal bile duct, fluoroscopic control was more successful. CONCLUSION: In cases of difficult stones in the distal bile duct, laser lithotripsy under fluoroscopic control is very effective and easily performed. Cholangioscopic guidance should be recommended just in cases of intrahepatic stones or in patients with stones situated proximal to a bile duct stenosis. In these cases, cholangioscopy should be performed either endoscopically or percutaneously.

Follow-up of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after capsule endoscopy and intraoperative enteroscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is highly sensitive to detect the bleeding source in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding compared with intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE). Long-term follow-up information of patients undergoing CE and IOE for investigation and treatment of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is lacking. METHODOLOGY: 50 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding underwent CE and IOE. Follow-up data of 47 patients (30 men, 17 women, mean age 60.9 +/- 16.8 years) were available (3 patients lost in follow-up). Clinical outcome was assessed with a standardized patient questionnaire and personal communication with referring physicians. RESULTS: Bleeding sources were detected and effective treated during intraoperative enteroscopy (argon plasma coagulation or surgical resection) in 34 patients [(angiodysplasias (n = 22), ulcers (n = 5), malignant tumors (n = 3), Meckel's diverticulum (n = 1), jejunal varices (n = 1), bleeding ileum diverticulosis (n = 1), hyperplastic polyp (n = 1)]. Mean follow-up was 346.3 days (range 253-814 days). Clinical signs of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 12 of 47 patients (25.5%) [positive fecal occult blood test (n = 2), anemia (n = 2), melena (n = 3), hematochezia (= 5)]. In 3 patients (6.4%) no further therapy was necessary, 9 patients (19.1%) needed blood transfusions (range 2-62 units), endoscopic or surgical interventions to control rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the proposal that capsule endoscopy could be used as the first-choice investigation in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Endoscopic laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones: is cholangioscopic guidance necessary?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillotomy is successful in more than 95 percent of the cases of choledocholithiasis. For patients with difficult bile duct stones not responding to mechanical lithotripsy, different methods for stone fragmentation have been developed. AIM: To compare the results of laser lithotripsy with a stone-tissue recognizing system, when guided by fluoroscopy only or by cholangioscopy. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002 we have treated 89 patients with difficult bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laser lithotripsy. Unsuccessful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and electrohydraulic were also performed before laser in 35 percent and 26 percent of the cases, respectively. RESULTS: Laser was effective in 79.2 percent of 72 patients guided by cholangioscopy and in 82.4 percent of 17 cases steered by fluoroscopy. The median number of impulses in the latter was 4,335 and 1,800 with the former technique. Two parameters influenced the manner of laser guidance. In cases of stones situated above a stricture, cholangioscopic control was more effective (64.7 percent vs. 31.9 percent). When the stones were in the distal bile duct, fluoroscopic control was more successful. CONCLUSION: In cases of difficult stones in the distal bile duct, laser lithotripsy under fluoroscopic control is very effective and easily performed. Cholangioscopic guidance should be recommended just in cases of intrahepatic stones or in patients with stones situated proximal to a bile duct stenosis. In these cases, cholangioscopy should be performed either endoscopically or percutaneously.

RACIONAL: A papilotomia endoscópica é efetiva em mais de 95 por cento dos casos de coledocolitíase . Para pacientes com cálculos de difícil extração (gigantes ou proximais a uma estenose), que não respondem à litotripsia mecânica, diferentes métodos de fragmentação foram desenvolvidos. OBJETIVO: Comparar os resultados da litotripsia à laser com um sistema de reconhecimento cálculo-tecido, quando guiada por fluoroscopia somente ou por colangioscopia. MÉTODOS: Entre 1992 e 2002 foram tratados 89 pacientes com cálculos biliares de difícil extração pela colangiopancreatografia endoscópica retrógrada e litotripsia à laser. Litotripsia extracorpórea e eletro-hidráulica sem sucesso foram executados antes do laser em 35 por cento e 26 por cento dos casos, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: O laser foi efetivo em 79,2 por cento dos 72 pacientes guiados por colangioscopia e, em 82,4 por cento dos 17 casos guiados por fluoroscopia. A média de impulsos do último foi de 4 335 e da primeira técnica de 1 800. Dois parâmetros influenciaram o modo de orientação da litotripsia à laser. Nos casos de cálculos situados proximais a uma estenose, o controle colangioscópico foi mais efetivo (64,7 por cento vs 31,9 por cento). Quando os cálculos estavam na via biliar distal, o controle fluoroscópico era mais efetivo. CONCLUSÃO: Nos casos de cálculos biliares de difícil extração na via biliar distal, litotripsia à laser com controle fluoroscópico é muito efetiva e de fácil execução. A orientação colangioscópica deve ser recomendada somente nos casos de cálculos intra-hepáticos ou em pacientes com cálculos situados proximamente a uma estenose de via biliar. Nesses casos, colangioscopia pode ser executada tanto por via endoscópica quanto percutânea.

Effect of intravenous application of esomeprazole 40 mg versus pantoprazole 40 mg on 24-hour intragastric pH in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that therapy with proton pump inhibitors reduces recurrence of bleeding following initial endoscopic treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers. AIM: This study compared the effects of esomeprazole 40 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg on intragastric acid control. Both substances were administered intravenously as 15-min infusion and as bolus injection. METHODS: Healthy men and women volunteers were enrolled in this single-center, open, randomized, three-way crossover study. After administration of esomeprazole 40 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously as 15-min infusion, and pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously as bolus injection, continuous 24-h intragastric pH monitoring was carried out. RESULTS: pH data were available for 21 Helicobacter pylori-negative and seven H. pylori-positive volunteers. In H. pylori-negative volunteers, esomeprazole 40 mg intravenously resulted in 11.8 h with an intragastric pH>4 compared with 5.6 h for pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously as infusion (P<0.0001), and 7.2 h for pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously as bolus injection (P<0.001). During the first 6 h of administration, the corresponding values were 3.4, 1.1 (P<0.000001), and 2.1 h (P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In H. pylori-negative patients, a single dose of esomeprazole 40 mg intravenously provides an intragastric acid control that is faster and more pronounced than administration of pantoprazole 40 mg intravenously.

Risk factors for symptomatic stone recurrence after transpapillary laser lithotripsy for difficult bile duct stones using a laser with a stone recognition system.

BACKGROUND: Laser-induced shock-wave lithotripsy (LISL) is successfully used for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term risk for a symptomatic bile duct stone recurrence after LISL and to detect risk factors predicting recurrence. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2001, 80 patients with difficult bile duct stones were successfully treated by intracorporeal LISL through the papilla of Vater. Seventy-one of these patients [median age, 65.8 years; 51 women (71.8%)] were followed for a median (range) period of 58 (1-114) months. RESULTS: Eleven patients (15.5%) had a symptomatic stone recurrence. The median (range) period between laser lithotripsy and recurrence was 40 (5-85) months. The presence of a bile duct stenosis (P=0.032) and a body-mass index below 25 (P=0.025) were significantly associated with an increased risk for stone recurrence. A gallbladder in situ, the presence of gallbladder stones, dilation of the bile duct, or a peripapillary diverticulum was not associated with stone recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a bile duct stenosis is significantly related to bile duct stone recurrence after treatment with LISL. The impact of the body mass index on stone recurrence is interesting. The gallbladder status did not predict stone recurrence in our study.

Diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding by intra-operative enteroscopy in 81 consecutive patients.

AIM: To analyze the results and complications of intra-operative enteroscopy (IOE) by investigating a series of selected patients with bleeding suspected to originate from the small intestine. METHODS: Eighty-one patients (mean age: 65 years) including 40 males (49.4%) and 41 females (50.6%) with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding underwent IOE between 1990 and 2004. The patients were identified from a database and data were selected from the patients' charts retrospectively. All the patients had undergone at least one non-diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, standard enteroscopy and a negative abdominal ultrasound scan before IOE. RESULTS: The median minimal hemoglobin level in the patients was 59 + 15 g/L and 72.8% of the patients required transfusion of packed erythrocytes previously. A bleeding source was detected in 68 (84%) of the patients during IOE. Angiodysplasiae were found in 44 patients (54.3%) and 9 patients (11.1%) were affected by ulcers in the small intestine. A tumor in the small intestine was detected in another 6 patients. The treatment consisted of argon-plasma-coagulation, surgical suture or limited resection in most of the patients. CONCLUSION: Intra-operative enteroscopy is still used for the diagnosis of suspected small bowel bleeding. Recent developments such as wireless capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy, may lead to the replacement of IOE in the future.

Improved preoperative tumor staging by 5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: We report our data in 35 patients who underwent preoperative conventional and fluorescence-based staging laparoscopy. We use the data to address the questions of whether fluorescence examination increases the yield of metastatic lesions and alters treatment intervention. METHODS: Fluorescence laparoscopy was successfully performed in 30 patients with GI malignancies. After sensitization with 5-aminolevulinic acid, conventional white-light mode and fluorescence-light laparoscopies were sequentially performed. A suspected malignancy was biopsied. OBSERVATIONS: In 5 patients, examinations were incomplete because of adhesions. In 9 of 10 patients, hepatic or peritoneal metastases were detected by white-light examination. In 4 of these 9, blue-light examination yielded more metastatic lesions. In one patient with no lesions by white- or blue-light examination, surgery revealed hepatic metastasis in a location not accessible to laparoscopic examination. In 18 patients, surgery confirmed the absence of metastatic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: A fluorescence, blue-light examination yielded more lesions than the conventional white-light examination but did not alter treatment intervention and did not enhance yield when metastatic lesion is in an inaccessible location. Continued research should focus on whether treatment intervention will be altered by the fluorescence examination.

A prospective two-center study comparing wireless capsule endoscopy with intraoperative enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy enables noninvasive diagnostic examination of the entire small intestine. However, sensitivity and specificity of capsule endoscopy have not been adequately defined. We, therefore, compared capsule endoscopy by using intraoperative enteroscopy as a criterion standard in patients with obscure GI bleeding. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with obscure GI bleeding (11 with ongoing overt bleeding, 24 with previous overt bleeding, and 12 with obscure-occult bleeding) from two German gastroenterologic centers were included. All patients who had a prior nondiagnostic evaluation, including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy with a retrograde examination of the distal ileum, and push enteroscopy, underwent capsule endoscopy followed by intraoperative enteroscopy. RESULTS: Capsule endoscopy identified lesions in 100% of the patients with ongoing overt bleeding, 67% of the patients with previous overt bleeding, and 67% of the patients with obscure-occult bleeding. Angiectasias were the most common source of bleeding (n = 22). Capsule endoscopy showed the source of bleeding in 74.4% of all patients. The method was more effective in patients with ongoing bleeding. Compared with intraoperative enteroscopy sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of capsule endoscopy were 95%, 75%, 95%, and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy has high sensitivity and specificity to detect a bleeding source in patients with obscure GI bleeding. Thus, wireless capsule endoscopy can be recommended as part of the routine work-up in patients with obscure GI bleeding.

Ceftriaxone is twice as cost-effective as standard therapy in biliary tract infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various antibiotics, mainly cephalosporins and broad-spectrum penicillins, are indicated in biliary tract infection. The primary endpoint was to compare the cost-effectiveness of ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 1 g once daily vs. standard therapy two or three times daily. METHODOLOGY: A prospective multicenter observational study, matched-pair analysis of 902 patients receiving ceftriaxone or standard therapy (second-generation cephalosporin, broad-spectrum penicillin or a combination of aminopenicillin and beta-lactamase inhibitor) in 75 hospitals yielded 173 pairs matched for definite risk criteria. Both groups received comparable accompanying endoscopic antiobstructive treatment. Cost parameters included primary antibiotic purchase, total antibiotic purchase (including combination and second-line drugs), and infusion preparation and administration. RESULTS: 87.9% of patients in the ceftriaxone group vs. 73.4% in the standard group received antibacterial monotherapy, for 7.5 vs. 9.1 days respectively (p=0.001). Therapy was equally effective in both groups. Overall treatment costs, including antibiotic purchase and infusion preparation/administration, were 170.84 vs. 320.46, respectively (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Ceftriaxone 1 g once daily is approximately twice as cost-effective as standard therapy in biliary tract infection: lower concomitant medication costs, a shorter treatment course, and lower antibiotic administration costs achieved an approximate 50% saving.

Endoscopic Doppler ultrasound after injection therapy for peptic ulcer hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A positive Doppler signal in endoscopic Doppler ultrasound at index endoscopy predicts a high risk for rebleeding from peptic ulcer. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a negative Doppler status immediately after injection therapy may exclude a rebleeding from peptic ulcer in a high-risk cohort. METHODOLOGY: Twenty consecutive patients (pts) (age: 68 (33-91) yrs; 11 female) with peptic ulcer bleeding were enrolled. All patients with an actively bleeding ulcer and those with a non-actively bleeding, but Doppler-positive ulcer were treated by injection of adrenaline (1:10,000 dilution). Treatment was performed during index endoscopy until the Doppler status was negative. Patients were followed-up clinically and endoscopically (including Doppler ultrasound) for bleeding recurrence. RESULTS: Patients were treated by injection of 12 (6 to 20) mL of adrenaline solution until Doppler scan was negative. During follow-up four pts (20%) had a clinically overt rebleeding episode. At control endoscopy three ulcers were actively bleeding and another two were Doppler positive without rebleeding (total: five of eighteen (27.7%) Doppler-positive ulcers). Two of the twenty pts required surgical therapy due to rebleeding (10%). CONCLUSIONS: A negative endoscopic Doppler status immediately after injection therapy is not helpful to identify patients with no risk for rebleeding from peptic ulcer.