Increased Lipocalin 2 level may have important role in thrombotic events in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible effect of lipocalin 2 on thrombotic events in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia patients. The samples of 89 patients were collected and RNA based method was used to evaluate the relative gene expression level of lipocalin 2. 74 samples were available for evaluation. Drawing a cut off point at level 30 relative expression rate, 13 patients with elevated lipocalin 2 expression had thrombotic events during the course of their disease. Based on these data high lipocalin 2 expression level seems to have strong positive predictive value on thrombotic events in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. Lipocalin 2 may be useful in thrombotic risk stratification in these patients.

Primary cricopharyngeal dysfunction: treatment with balloon catheter dilatation.

BACKGROUND: Primary cricopharyngeal dysfunction (PCD) is a rare, idiopathic, functional disorder of the upper esophageal sphincter, characterized by dysphagia, frequent aspiration, and functional narrowing at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter. METHODS: Five of 29 patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia were found to have PCD. Patients presented with severe dysphagia and predisposition to aspiration. Radiography demonstrated narrowing at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter and aspiration. An endoscope could be introduced into the esophagus in only 2 patients before dilation. OBSERVATIONS: In contrast to organic stenoses, these functional upper esophageal sphincter stenoses were dilated without difficulty with a balloon catheter. After low-pressure (1.5-2 atm) progressive balloon dilation (to 20 mm), superficial mucosal injury was observed only in one patient. After dilatation, symptoms resolved and barium swallow demonstrated normal passage through the upper esophageal sphincter. During a mean follow-up of 21 months (7-33), redilation was necessary in only 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon catheter dilatation of PCD is minimally invasive and provides both important diagnostic information and effective therapy. It should be the first choice of therapy for PCD.

[Primary cricopharyngeal achalasia and its dilatation with balloon catheter]. / Primer cricopharyngealis achalasia és ballonkatéteres tágító kezelése.

The primary cricopharyngealis achalasia (PCA) is a very uncommon functional disorder of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UES) characterized by dysphagia, frequent aspiration, and impaired relaxation of the UES. It should be differentiated from diseases of neuromuscular and ENT origin, from organic causes and other types of cricopharyngeal dysfunction. On suspected oesophageal inlet stenosis, swallow x-ray studies using water-soluble contrast material is performed, followed by oesophagoscopy. If the endoscope cannot pass into the oesophagus, balloon dilatation is performed to reach a diameter of 12-15 mm. This facilitates the passing of the endoscope and helps ruling out organic causes. If the stenotic segment dilates easily, the mucosa is intact, and no mechanical obstruction is discovered, then UES manometry is performed to differentiate from other motility disorders. Extraluminal causes are excluded using endosonography and CT. If PCA is diagnosed, low-pressure (1-1.5 atm) balloon dilatation is continued under fluoroscopic control until a lumen diameter of 18-20 mm is obtained. Efficacy of dilatation is assured clinically as well as with endoscopical, barium swallow and manometric studies. Five out of 28 patients with pharyngo-oesophageal dysphagia were found to have PCA. Patients presented with severe dysphagia and a predisposition to aspiration. The radiographic examination demonstrated stenosis at the UES level, and aspiration. It was possible to introduce the endoscope into the oesophagus only two of the five patients before the dilatation. The manometry was not pathognomonic, its value did not achieve the expectations. In contrast with organic stenoses, UES dilated easily using balloon catheter. Thereafter, the endoscope passed smoothly through the UES in each of cases. Following progressive dilatation--with low pressure (1.5-2 atm) up to 20 mm in diameter-, superficial mucosal damage was observed in one patient only. Patients' complaints ceased after treatment, and the barium swallow showed normal passage. Redilatation was necessary only in one case after following 21 (7-33) months. The authors supposed that the gastrooesophageal reflux plays role in the pathogenesis of PCA. Balloon catheter dilatation is an important diagnostic and at the same time effective, first choice, minimal invasive therapeutic method in PCA.

Effect of laparoscopic antireflux operation on esophageal manometry, 24 hours pH-metry and quality of life in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

It has been suggested that laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is an effective procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Twenty-six patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease underwent laparoscopic floppy Nissen fundoplication. 24 hours pH-metry, manometry and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire were done preoperatively, six-month and one year after the operation. The six weeks control investigation was limited to 24 pH-metry and GIQLI interview. Adequate reflux control was obtained in all patients, with reduction in acid reflux variables at six weeks, six months as well as at one year after the operation. Preoperative reflux index and DeMeester score was significantly higher than those we found postoperatively at both time period. Preoperative lower esophageal sphincter tone and length was abnormal on average. Both parameters increased significantly at six-month and one year after the operation. GIQLI also showed characteristic changes. Compared to preoperative values we found significantly higher GIQLI at both six-month and one year following surgery. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication provides an excellent symptomatic and physiologic outcome in patients with esophageal reflux disease.

[The use of Wallstent in malignant constrictions of the gastrointestinal tract]. / Wallstent alkalmazása a felsó gastrointestinalis rendszer malignus szúkületeiben.

Prosthesis implantation in malignant oesophageal stenosis, postoperative gastric outlet obstruction and jejunal stenosis is a quick and efficient method. The expansile metal stents are a new alternative to conventional plastic prosthesis. The Wallstent is made of surgical steel alloy elements braided in tubular fashion. The Wallstent is delivered in a small diameter device, but it expands to a much larger size after placement than the inner diameter of plastic stent. The small predilatations diameter makes implantation of the Wallstent less prone to cause complications or severe discomfort to the patient. The authors implanted seven Wallstents in six patients. One patient had oesophageal cancer, one ischaemic jejunal stenosis and four jejunal stenosis due to extraluminal tumour recurrences following total gastrectomy for cancer. The authors discuss in detail the usefulness of the Wallstent implantation in two cases with malignant disease of the oesophagus and jejunum. They remained symptoms free for 7 and 10 months after Wallstent implantation until death. Despite their higher initial cost, the metal stents are cost effective because of the absence of early and severe complications and the decrease in the hospitalization.

Postoperative ischemic jejunal stenosis treated with balloon catheter dilation and Wallstent implantation.

Ischemic stenosis of the jejunum is rare. For technical, anatomical, and pathological reasons, ischemic stenosis of the jejunal segment used for the replacement of the esophagus or the stomach, or both, represents a special entity. The present study reports a case of balloon catheter dilation of ischemic strictures of the jejunal segment, used for substitution after gastrectomy. In this patient, an occlusion of the blood vessels supplying the affected segment was observed at its aortic origin, and a Wallstent was implanted. A rare late complication, aortoesophageal fistula, appeared one year after placement of the Wallstent. The case presented in this study suggests that using balloon catheters and implanting a Wallstent may be a useful approach to the management of postoperative ischemic strictures of the jejunum in selected cases. The minimally invasive technique with special indications used here has not previously been described. The rare complication mentioned, however, requires special attention.

[Management of postoperative ischemic jejunal stenosis using balloon dilatation and/or Wallstent implant]. / Postoperativ ischaemiás jejunalis stenosis kezelése ballonkatéteres tágítással vagy/és Wallstent implantatióval.

Ischaemic stenosis of the jejunum is rare. For technical, anatomical, and pathological reasons ischemic stenosis of the jejunal segment used for the replacement of the stomach and oesophagus requires a special approach. The present study reports two cases of dilation of ischaemic strictures of the jejunal loop by balloon catheter, used for replacement after oesophagogastrectomy and gastrectomy. In the later case, in which the occlusion of the blood vessels supplying the affected segment was observed right at the level of the aorta, Wallstent was implanted. The advantages and disadvantages of metal stents are discussed and oesophaogoaortic fistula, a rare complication, which appeared a year after Wallstent placement, is described. The two cases presented in this study give evidence that using balloon catheters and implanting Wallstent-in selected cases-may give good results in the management of postoperative ischaemic strictures of the jejunum. The minimally invasive technique with the special indications described here is not known to have been used so far. The rare complication mentioned, however, requires special attention.

[The use of a nitinol (nickel-titanium) prosthesis in the management of malignant esophageal stenosis (preliminary report)]. / Nitinol (nikkel-titanium) protesis alkalmazása malignus oesophagus stenosis áthidalására (Elözetes közlemény).

The authors present the case of an 81-year-old male patient with cardia adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a surgical resection. Due to local recurrence Gianturco prosthesis implantation was performed. After 5 months of unimpeded swallowing, the patient gradually lost his ability to swallow. This was caused by tumor overgrowth. The serious condition was managed by nitinol (Ultraflex) metallic prosthesis. This reticular, compressed stent is a nickel-titanium based alloy. After implantation, as a result of the body temperature it assumes its original shape. After the twofold prosthesis implantation the patient had no complaints. The authors found the case worthy of presentation because of the new method and the originality of the new design.

[Implantation of a Gianturco-S prosthesis in malignant esophagogastric stenosis]. / Gianturco-S prothesis implantatio oesophago-gastricus malignus stenosis áthidalására.

An 80-year-old male patient with cardia adenocarcinoma underwent a surgical resection, but the local recurrence caused stenosis at the esophagogastro-anastomosis. The surgeon did not recommend the reoperation of the aged patient. After a repeated dilation a polyethylene coated flexible metallic prosthesis equipped with a double funnel was implanted. In a couple of days the prosthesis dilated to 16 mm in diameter. The patient reported waning tensive pain in the cardial region for a week after the implantation. After 4 months, now he is symptom free. The new instrument extends the possibilities of a palliative treatment.