A randomized single-blind trial of standard diet versus fiber-free diet with polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution for colonoscopy preparation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Colonoscopy preparation usually involves the intake of large volumes of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) in combination with a clear-liquid diet (CLD). Liberalization of the diet might enhance the tolerance to PEG-ES without compromising the quality of the preparation. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEG-ES given with a CLD compared with a fiber-free diet (FFD) for colonoscopy preparation. The incidence of adverse events among patients in the two diet groups was also assessed as a secondary outcome. METHODS: This was a single-center randomized, prospective, single-blind study. A total of 200 patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to either CLD or FFD in addition to PEG-ES. RESULTS: Patients in the FFD group were able to drink more PEG-ES (mean +/- SD, 3.9 +/- 0.3 L) compared with those in the CLD group (3.3 +/- 0.7 L) ( P < 0.01). The quality of the preparation was significantly better in the FFD group, with more patients having satisfactory preparations than those in the CLD group (81.4 % vs. 52.0 %; P < 0.001). Tolerance to the preparation was higher in the FFD group compared with the CLD group, with significantly more patients adhering to the FFD regimen ( P < 0.001). There were more adverse events experienced in the CLD group, with odds ratios of 1.9 for nausea (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.0 - 3.6), 3.8 for vomiting (95 % CI 1.3 - 11.3), and 3.0 for headache (95 % CI 1.5 - 5.9). CONCLUSION: FFD given with PEG-ES on the day before colonoscopy is a more effective regimen than the standard CLD regimen, and is better tolerated by patients.

Catheter probe assisted endoluminal US in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Use of an echocolonoscope to examine patients with inflammatory bowel disease is technically difficult. Catheter probe assisted endoluminal ultrasonography (US) may be a feasible alternative. METHODS: Determination of demographic information and clinical disease activity was followed by colonoscopy with biopsy. Catheter probe assisted endoluminal US was performed with measurements of thickness of the intestinal wall and evaluation of the structure of the sonographic layers. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients, 7 with ulcerative colitis, 11 with Crohn's disease, and 10 healthy control subjects participated in a prospective study. Mean colonic wall thickness was 2.2 +/- 0.1 mm (controls) compared with 4. 1 +/- 0.4 mm (ulcerative colitis) (p < 0.001) and 4.4 +/- 0.4 mm (Crohn's disease) (p < 0.001). Among patients with ulcerative colitis, colonic wall thickness correlated with severity of colonoscopic changes (r = 0.84, p = 0.02). Among patients with Crohn's disease, loss of endosonographic layer structure correlated with disease activity score (r = 0.8, p = 0.003), and colonic wall thickness correlated with the severity of histologic changes (r = 0. 62, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter probe assisted endoluminal US is technically feasible in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Endosonographic measurements of colonic wall thickness and layer structure provide clinically significant information.

Diagnosis and management of appendiceal mucoceles.

Preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucoceles is rare. If untreated, one type of mucoceles may rupture producing a potentially fatal entity known as pseudomyxoma peritonei. The importance of diagnosing appendiceal mucoceles is highlighted through a case presentation of a woman who had an incidental finding of mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix during colonoscopic evaluation for occult gastrointestinal bleeding. A detailed review of the medical literature regarding appendiceal mucoceles is presented, with emphasis on the pathologic, clinical, radiologic, and evolving endoscopic features. Surgical options and prognosis are discussed.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on hepatic fibrogenesis in chronic dietary iron overload.

It has been suggested that lipid peroxidation plays an important role in hepatic fibrogenesis resulting from chronic iron overload. Vitamin E is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant that has been shown to be decreased in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis and in experimental iron overload. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on hepatic lipid peroxidation and fibrogenesis in an animal model of chronic iron overload. Rats were fed the following diets for 4, 8, or 14 mo: standard laboratory diet (control), diet with supplemental vitamin E (200 IU/kg, control + E), diet with carbonyl iron (Fe), and diet with carbonyl iron supplemented with vitamin E (200 IU/kg. Fe + E). Iron loading resulted in significant decreases in hepatic and plasma vitamin E levels at all time points, which were overcome by vitamin E supplementation. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (an index of lipid peroxidation) were increased three- to fivefold in the iron-loaded livers; supplementation with vitamin E reduced these levels by at least 50% at all time points. Hepatic hydroxyproline levels were increased twofold by iron loading. Vitamin E did not affect hydroxyproline content at 4 or 8 mo but caused an 18% reduction at 14 mo in iron-loaded livers. At 8 and 14 mo, vitamin E decreased the number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive stellate cells in iron-loaded livers. These results demonstrate a dissociation between lipid peroxidation and collagen production and suggest that the profibrogenic action of iron in this model is mediated through effects which cannot be completely suppressed by vitamin E.

Skin necrosis indicating antiphospholipid syndrome in patient with AIDS.

Although antiphospholipid antibodies have been detected in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the clinical manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome are extremely rare. We describe a woman with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and elevated antiphospholipid antibodies who developed necrotic skin lesions and was subsequently shown to have antiphospholipid syndrome. This finding contradicts the general belief that such antibodies are not clinically significant in patients with HIV disease. We follow the report with a brief description of the antiphospholipid syndrome and its relation to AIDS.