Evaluation of portosystemic collaterals by SPECT imaging after endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy: usefulness for predicting recurrence. (49/2175)

Bleeding from esophageal varices is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Identification of patients at high risk for bleeding is particularly important. The aim of this study was to determine whether detection of portosystemic collaterals by SPECT could predict the outcome of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy of esophageal varices and be useful for selecting appropriate therapy. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with liver cirrhosis who were considered at high risk of bleeding were treated with endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. Endoscopy was performed every 3 mo after therapy or until bleeding occurred. Before and within 2 wk after therapy, tomographic images of intra-abdominal blood pool were constructed by SPECT. RESULTS: Before therapy, the following portosystemic collateral routes were observed: coronary veins in 53 (85.5%) of 62 patients, short gastric veins in 8 patients (12.9%), splenorenal shunts in 10 patients (16.1%), and paraumbilical veins in 6 patients (9.7%). Patients positive for imaging of coronary veins were divided into 3 groups on the basis of changes in images after therapy: complete responders (n = 17), whose coronary vein images disappeared completely; partial responders (n = 18), whose images became smaller; and nonresponders (n = 18), whose images did not change significantly before or after therapy. The rates of recurrence after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy until 6 mo in complete responders (4/17, 23.5%) and partial responders (7/18, 38.9%) were significantly less (P < 0.05) than that in nonresponders (11/13, 84.6%). The rate of recurrence of esophageal varices until 6 mo in nonresponders treated with additional submucosal injection sclerotherapy (1/5, 20.0%) was significantly less (P < 0.05) than that in nonresponders without additional submucosal injection sclerotherapy (11/13, 84.6%). CONCLUSION: Abdominal blood-pool SPECT, a noninvasive method, is useful for evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of endoscopic sclerotherapy, for predicting the recurrence of varices, and for selecting appropriate management after sclerotherapy.  (+info)

A giant intramural gastric hematoma successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization. (50/2175)

We describe a case of intramural gastric hematoma with hemorrhagic shock caused by the formation of a large hematoma. Computed tomographic and angiographic examinations confirmed the presence of active bleeding into the hematoma. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed for hemostasis. To our knowledge, although 21 cases of intramural gastric hematoma have been reported in the literature, this is apparently the first case treated by TAE. We conclude that TAE is a safe and effective treatment option for intramural gastric hematoma confirmed to be associated with active bleeding into the hematoma.  (+info)

Benign small bowel tumor. (51/2175)

The clinical record and histologic sections of 84 cases of benign small bowel tumor are reviewed. Manifestations of systemic diseases, congenital anomalies, and lesions of either the ileocecal valve or periampullary region were excluded. In the same time span there were 96 small bowel malignancies. Clinical presentation, pathologic findings, management and result are compared to the collected published experience of about 2000 cases. There were 36 leiomyomas, 22 lipomas, 9 angiomas, 6 neurofibromas and 4 fibromas. Thirty-six men and 48 women were affected; the majority in their fifth and sixth decade. Seventy-eight were operative and 6 autopsy diagnoses. The most common symptom was obstruction (42%) followed by hemorrhage (34%) and pain (22%), relative frequency differing for the various specific tumors. There were rarely significant physical findings. A diagnosis of small bowel tumor was made radiologically in 30 patients. Because of the nonspecificity of other signs and symptoms, an acute awareness of the possibility of small bowel tumor is mandatory for preoperative anticipation of the diagnosis. Local resection was performed in all with no deaths or significant postoperative complications.  (+info)

Comparative study between endoscopy and radiology in acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. (52/2175)

A total of 158 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage were studied, and the 53 patients on whom emergency endoscopies were performed were compared with the remaining 105. The cause of the bleeding was found in 51 of the endoscopy group and 39 of the control group. Three patients in the endoscopy group and 16 controls died. In the endoscopy group the correct preoperative diagnosis was made in all cases and there was less delay before operation. In the control group five patients had no diagnosis before operation, the preoperative diagnosis was wrong in nine, and five had laparotomies during which no cause of bleeding was found. The patients in the endoscopy group who did not have operations had a shorter stay in hospital than the controls.  (+info)

Haematemesis: a new syndrome? (53/2175)

Three patients presented with symptoms suggesting a Mallory-Weiss tear. Endoscopy showed a localized, clearly demarcated area of bright red mucosa near the gastro-oesophageal junction; this was thought to have arisen by retrograde intussusception of the stomach during vomiting or retching and may have caused the haemorrhage.  (+info)

A British family with herediatary pancreatitis. (54/2175)

A family with hereditary pancreatitis is described. Nine family members definitely have had pancreatitis, whilst 15 more are suspected of having the disease. The condition presents as recurrent attacks of epigastric or central abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, often associated with vomiting. The attacks of pain usually last three to four days. The inheritance fits well with an autosomal dominant pattern with limited penetrance, as it does in other families described in the literature. There is no aminoaciduria as has been described in some previously reported families. The attacks of pain start in childhood or young adult life (mean age of onset inthis family is 12-6 years) and appear to cease in this family by the age of 40 years. The diagnosis of pancreatitis in members of the family who have had confirmed pancreatitis was made by finding a raised serum amylase concentration in four cases, at laparotomy in four cases, and by pancreatic calcification seen on radiography in one case, The literature on the condition is reviewed, and it is speculated that the condition may have been underdiagnosed in Britain.  (+info)

Diagnosis of an enteric duplication with pertechnetate 99mTc scanning. (55/2175)

A case of enteric duplication is reported in which preoperative pertechnetate (99m)Tc scanning demonstrated localized uptake in the region of the anatomic abnormality. This test is recommended for use in the evaluation of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in infants and children.  (+info)

Current management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. (56/2175)

Over a four-year period, 585 patients were hospitalized for massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy diagnosed the cause of bleeding in 80% of 200 patients so studied. Selective angiography localized the bleeding site in 12 of 20 patients, and infusion of vasopressor stopped hemorrhage in six. Barium studies was 90% accurate in diagnosing ulcer disease but failed to detect gastritis. One hundred thirty (22%) patients were operated upon for medically uncontrolled bleeding. The proportion of patients requiring surgery fell from 33% in year one to 13% in year four. Benign ulcer disease caused bleeding in 51% of surgical patients, while gastritis was found in 20%, esophageal varices in 15% and stress ulcer in 8%. Overall operative mortality was 29%. Among 38 duodenal ulcer patients, mortality was 18%. Vagotomy and pyloroplasty were more effective than resection in this group. Resection for distal gastric ulcers in 22 patients resulted in a mortality of 14% and no rebleeding. While V&P controlled bleeding in 12 alcoholics with gastritis, five (42%) died postoperatively. Mortality among 20 patients with esophageal varices was 35%, although all five survived who had porto-caval shunts. Eight of 10 patients operated upon for stress ulcer bleeding died. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 14 patients, eight of whom were again operated upon. In all but one a new lesion was found to be responsible for hemorrhage. Increasing use of gastroscopy and selective angiography can be expected to improve diagnostic capabilities in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Infusing vasopressor into selected arteries should reduce the need for surgical control of gastritis, variceal and stress ulcer bleeding, conditions poorly managed by current operative techniques.  (+info)