Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and video capsule enteroscopy in diagnosing small-bowel pathology: localization-dependent diagnostic yield.

OBJECTIVE: New technology has considerably advanced the diagnosis of small-bowel pathology. However, its significance in clinical algorithms has not yet been fully assessed. The aim of the present analysis was to compare the diagnostic utility and yield of video-capsule enteroscopy (VCE) to that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with suspected or established Crohn's disease (Group I), obscure gastrointestinal blood loss (Group II), or suspected tumors (Group III). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-six out of 182 patients who underwent both modalities were included: 21 in Group I, 20 in Group II, and five in Group III. Pathology was assessed in three predetermined sections of the small bowel (upper, middle, and lower). The McNemar and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In Group I, lesions were found by VCE in nine of the 21 patients and by MRI in six. In five patients, both modalities showed pathology. In Group II, pathological changes were detected in 11 of the 20 patients by VCE and in eight patients by MRI. In five cases, pathology was found with both modalities. In Group III, neither modality showed small-bowel pathology. For the patient groups combined, diagnostic yield was 43% with VCE and 30% with MRI. The diagnostic yield of VCE was superior to that of MRI in the upper small bowel in both Groups I and II. CONCLUSION: VCE is superior to MRI for the detection of lesions related to Crohn's disease or obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in the upper small bowel.

Properties of different pancreatin preparations used in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic enzyme preparations are a life-saving substitution for a pivotal physiological function of the entire organism that is impaired in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzyme preparations, generically called pancreatin, are not alike. Rather, they present a broad variety of pancreatin composition. AIM: The properties of a set of commercially available pancreatin preparations were investigated in light of the physiological tasks such enzymes must fulfill during the normal digestive process. METHODS: Measurements of size, surface, acid resistance, release of enzymes, pharmacokinetics and batch consistency were undertaken. RESULTS: Although all pancreatin preparations contain the declared lipase units and are acid-stable, a wide variation was observed in the particle size (pyloric passage), specific surface area and release kinetics of lipase activity at pH 6 (duodenum). CONCLUSION: At present, available pancreatin preparations vary widely with respect to investigated parameters, which may have consequences for facilitating optimal digestion.

Prospective evaluation of small bowel preparation with bisacodyl and sodium phosphate for capsule endoscopy.

AIM: To determine the effect of Prepacol, a combination of sodium phosphate and bisacodyl, on transit and quality of capsule endoscopy (CE). METHODS: Fivety two consecutive patients were included in this prospective study. CE was performed following a 12 h fasting period. Twenty six patients were randomized for additional preparation with Prepacol. The quality of CE was assessed separately for the proximal and the distal small bowel by 3 experienced endoscopists on the basis of a graduation which was initially developed with 20 previous CE. RESULTS: Preparation with Prepacol accelerated small bowel transit time (262 +/- 55 min vs 287 +/- 97 min), but had no effect on the quality of CE. Visibility was significantly reduced in the distal compared to the proximal small bowel. CONCLUSION: The significantly reduced visibility of CE in the distal small bowel allocates the need for a good preparation. Since Prepacol has no beneficial effect on CE the modality of preparation and the ideal time of application remains unclear. Further standardized examinations are necessary to identify sufficient preparation procedures and to determine the impact of the volume of the preparation solution.

Expression of tissue factor in pancreatic adenocarcinoma is associated with activation of coagulation.

AIM: To study expression of tissue factor (TF) in pancreatic cancer and its role in the development of thromboembolism. METHODS: TF expression was studied in eight human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by Northern blot and indirect immunofluorescence. Expression of alternatively spliced TF (asTF) was assessed by RT-PCR. In addition, TF expression was determined by immunofluorescence in pancreatic tissues of 19 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCa), 9 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and 20 normal controls. Plasma samples (30 PCa-patients, 13 CP-patients and 20 controls) were investigated for soluble TF levels and coagulation activation markers [thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2)]. RESULTS: All pancreatic carcinoma cell lines expressed TF (8/8) and most of them expressed asTF (6/8). TF expression at the protein level did not correlate with the differentiation of the carcinoma cell line. All but two pancreatic cancer tissue samples stained positive for TF (17/19). In all samples of CP weak staining was restricted to pancreatic duct cells, whereas only a few subendothelial cells were positive in 9/20 of normal controls. TF and TAT levels in PCa patients were significantly elevated compared to controls whereas elevated F1 + 2 levels did not reach statistical significance compared to controls. In CP patients TAT and F1 + 2 levels proved to be significantly elevated compared to controls, although TAT elevation was less pronounced than in PCa patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in addition to the upregulated expression of TF on the cell membrane, soluble TF might contribute to activation of the coagulation system in pancreatic cancer.

Poorly differentiated small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. A case report and review of the literature.

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is a rare malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. We present the case of a 74-year-old man with a 2-month history of upper abdominal discomfort who was diagnosed with SCC of the pancreas tail, involvement of peripancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes and multiple liver metastases (extended disease). A CT scan and a positive somatostatin receptor scintigraphy showed no evidence of a primary lung tumour. The diagnosis of a SCC was confirmed by biopsy. Local tumour control could be achieved by gemcitabine once a week and a long-acting somatostatin analogue once a month, but liver metastasis showed progress. Thus, 5-fluorouracil on a weekly basis was started. The patient died 8 months after diagnosis and had not been hospitalised in the meantime.

Microencapsulated, CYP2B1-transfected cells activating ifosfamide at the site of the tumor: the magic bullets of the 21st century.

BACKGROUND: Conventional chemotherapy of pancreatic carcinoma is only marginally effective. This is in part due to the severity of side effects following systemic administration of the cytostatic drug. The aim was to create a therapeutic tool allowing the targeting of the conversion site of a cytotoxic prodrug to the site of the tumor. This was realized by transfection of the CYP2B1 gene, the major ifosfamide-converting P450 enzyme, in cells with subsequent microencapsulation and administration of these microcapsules to or into the tumor. The enzyme activity (resorufin assay) remained stable for weeks in vitro and in vivo within the microencapsulated CYP2B1-expressing cells. We demonstrated a significant antitumor effect of the intratumorally injected capsules against xenotransplanted human pancreatic carcinomas in the nude mouse. Angiographic experiments in the pig confirmed the feasibility of an intraarterial placement of the capsules into the pancreas. A clinical protocol was established and approved. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: L293 cells were transfected with the CYP2B1 gene, microencapsulated (diameter 0.7 mm) under GCP conditions and packed sterile. Patients with confirmed inoperable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas underwent angiography, and capsules were injected into a vessel leading into the tumor. The patients were monitored for 48 h to exclude allergic reactions or pancreatitis. A day later, ifosfamide was administered for three consecutive days to be repeated on days 21-23. The patients were followed up for 5 months. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were enrolled. The patients tolerated the procedure without any complications. No allergic reactions or pancreatitis were encountered. Chemotherapy was uneventful. All patients had stable disease, and two patients a partial remission. The median survival was 44 weeks which compared favorably with that of a historical control group (22 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: The intraarterial administration of microcapsules for targeted chemotherapy was well tolerated. Control of local tumor growth was achieved.