Randomised comparison of the FerX Ella antireflux stent and the ultraflex stent: proton pump inhibitor combination for prevention of post-stent reflux in patients with esophageal carcinoma involving the esophago-gastric junction.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metal stents placed across the gastroesophageal junction in patients with malignant dysphagia frequently present with reflux symptoms. We compared an antireflux stent with a standard open stent used in combination with proton pump inhibitor medication. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with dysphagia due to inoperable carcinoma in the lower third of the esophagus were randomly selected to receive either a antireflux valve stent (FerX-Ella) (n = 22) or a covered standard open stent (Ultraflex), which was combined with proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole (n = 26). The technical success, the presence of reflux, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Reflux was seen in 3/22 patients (13.6%) in the FerX-Ella group and in 2/26 patients (7.7%) in the Ultraflex and proton pump inhibitor combination group (P-value not significant). In both groups, a significant improvement in the dysphagia score was seen and no statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups (P = 0.84). The FerX-Ella stents migrated more frequently (32%) than the Ultraflex stents (23%). This also necessitated surgical intervention more frequently in the FerX-Ella group (2/22, 9.1%) compared to the Ultraflex group (1/26, 3.8%). CONCLUSION: The antireflux stent had no demonstrable advantages compared to the combination of standard open stent and proton pump inhibitor medication.

Acute cholecystitis with massive upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cystic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication following cholecystitis. Its presentation with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is even rarer. Thirteen patients with cystic artery pseudoaneurysm have been reported in the literature but only 2 of them presented with UGIH alone. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 43-year-old woman who developed a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm following an episode of acute cholecystitis. She presented with haematemesis and melaena associated with postural symptoms. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal ulcer with adherent clots in the first part of the duodenum. Ultrasonography detected gallstones and a pseudoaneurysm at the porta hepatis. Selective hepatic angiography showed two small pseudoaneurysms in relation to the cystic artery, which were selectively embolized. However, the patient developed abdominal signs suggestive of gangrene of the gall bladder and underwent an emergency laparotomy. Cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration along with repair of the duodenal rent, and pyloric exclusion and gastrojejunostomy was done. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the occurrence of a rare complication (pseudoaneurysm) following cholecystitis with an unusual presentation (UGIH). Cholecystectomy, ligation of the pseudoaneurysm and repair of the intestinal communication is an effective modality of treatment.

Percutaneous glue embolization of a visceral artery pseudoaneurysm in a case of sickle cell anemia.

Although aneurysmal complications of sickle cell anemia have been described in the intracranial circulation, visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in this disease entity have not previously been reported in the literature. Conventional treatment of visceral pseudoaneurysms has been surgical ligation or resection of the aneurysm. Transcatheter embolization has emerged as an attractive, minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the treatment of these lesions. In certain situations, however, due to the unfavorable angiographic anatomy precluding safe transcatheter embolization, direct percutaneous glue injection of the pseudoaneurysm sac may be considered to achieve successful occlusion of the sac. The procedure may be rendered safer by simultaneous balloon protection of the parent artery. We describe this novel treatment modality in a case of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with sickle cell anemia. Although a complication in the form of glue reflux into the parent vessel occurred that necessitated surgery, this treatment modality may be used in very selected cases (where conventional endovascular embolization techniques are not applicable) after careful selection of the balloon diameter and appropriate concentration of the glue-lipiodol mixture.