Dynamic analysis of commonly used biochemical parameters to predict common bile duct stones in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The prediction of persistent common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients during choledocholithiasis crisis is challenging. We developed a model based on the course over time of commonly used biochemical parameters to reduce the rate of unnecessary endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the risk of perioperative discovery of CBDS. METHODS: Medical charts of patients who presented between 2010 and 2015 for symptomatic gallstone disease with suspected choledocholithiasis were reviewed and compared according to the presence/absence of CBDS on preoperative ERCP or during cholecystectomy. RESULTS: 210 patients were included. Unnecessary ERCP and the discovery rate of CBDS were 9.0 and 22.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age ≥80 years, neutrophils ≥12000/µL and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) ≥300 units/L at admission, alkaline phosphatase ≥180 units/L at days 3-5 post admission, and a decrease in C-reactive protein ≤10%, aspartate aminotransferase ≤35%, GGT ≤25%, and total bilirubin ≤15% between day 0 and days 3-5 to be predictive of CBDS. The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve was 0.881. When used to select patients for preoperative ERCP, diagnostic accuracy was 94.8% when three predictors were present. Negative and positive predictive values were 100% in the absence of predictors and when five predictors were present, respectively. Unnecessary ERCP and CBDS discovery rates both decreased to 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used biochemical parameters correctly predict CBDS when they are analysed in a dynamic setting rather than at discrete time points. The proposed model constitutes a reliable tool to decrease unnecessary ERCP and perioperative discovery rates of CBDS.

Cardiovascular disease in children in Djibouti: a single-centre study.

INTRODUCTION: Few data are available about pediatric cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Horn of Africa. The objective of this study was to describe the spectrum of CVD in children in Djibouti. METHODS: Clinical features and management of Djiboutian children between 1 month-old and 15 year-old with CVD were prospectively recorded over a two-year period in Bouffard Military Hospital in Djibouti (January 2009- December 2010). RESULTS: Clinical examination and echocardiography were performed on 156 patients: 32 of them (20%) had CVD. Three (10%) of them had Down's syndrome. The median age was 5 years (male 53%). Congenital heart disease was observed in 27 (84%) patients and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 5 (16%) patients including 2 patients with rheumatic valvular disease. Ventricular septal defect was frequent (28%). Other abnormalities were atrial septal defect (13%), Tetralogy of Fallot (9%), pulmonary stenosis (6%) and 3 other patients had multiple congenital anomalies condition. Surgical management was required in 22 (69%) patients and was performed on 15 (47%) cases. During follow up (mean 11.3 ± 6.8 months), 5 (16%) patients died. Absence of surgery was associated with significant mortality (p > 0.05) but age, sex and mean follow up were not. CONCLUSION: Pediatric CVD is at least as common in this Djiboutian community as in other African cohorts. The absence of surgery was a major mortality risk factor. DCM was frequent in this study. Much work remains to be done to discover the size and nature of genetic and environmental contributions to these various forms of heart diseases in the Horn of Africa.

Clinical usefulness of a treatment algorithm for pancreatic pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic procedures have become a first-line approach to the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the results of a therapeutic algorithm including EUS-assisted drainage, transpapillary drainage, and conventional endoscopic drainage in terms of (1) feasibility and efficacy of the endoscopic procedure and (2) morbidity. DESIGN: Prospective study with a treatment algorithm drawn up before the endoscopic procedure, including either conventional endoscopic transmural drainage (CTMD), conventional transpapillary drainage (CTPD), or EUS-guided transmural drainage (EUS-GTD). PATIENTS: A total of 50 patients, including 15 women and 35 men with a mean age of 51 years, were included in this prospective study. RESULTS: The mean size of the pseudocysts was 8.2 cm (range 3-12 cm). A total of 29 pseudocysts did not bulge into the digestive wall (58%); 24 (48%) neither bulged nor communicated with the pancreatic duct. EUS-GTD was performed on 28 patients (56%), CTMD on 13 patients (26%), and CTPD on 8 patients (16%), and endoscopic procedures failed in 1 patient. Technical feasibility was 98% (49/50), and clinical success was achieved in 90% of the cases and disappearance of the pseudocysts in 96% of the cases without significant differences among the 3 groups. The morbidity rate was 18% (9 cases). Five superinfections occurred in the EUS-GTD group and 1 in the CTMD group. One death occurred from late bleeding in the CTMD group. LIMITATION: Randomization of patients in this prospective study was not possible because of the different characteristics of the pseudocysts. CONCLUSION: With this algorithm, clinical success was achieved in 45 (90%) of the cases and disappearance of the pseudocysts in 48 (96%) of the cases with a reasonable morbidity rate. In half of the cases, EUS is required for treating pancreatic pseudocyst.