[Utility of capsule endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement in the diagnosis of small bowel lesions]. / Utilidad del Flexible Spectral Imaging Enhancement de cápsula endoscópica en el diagnóstico de lesiones de intestino delgado.

INTRODUCTION: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the technique of choice to detect small bowel lesions. Flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) software has recently been incorporated into the new RAPID 6.0 workstation, which allows three distinct patterns to be visualized in the mucosal structure according to different wavelengths. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CE-FICE is more effective in detecting lesions than standard visualization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty lesions were detected by CE in 41 consecutive patients in 2010. These patients were administered PillCamTM SB2 in our center and were classified into three groups: 1) vascular lesions and angiodysplasias (18 lesions), 2) erosions and ulcers (18 lesions) and 3) polyps and tumors (14 lesions). Subsequently, these lesions were independently analyzed with the available FICE patterns by three endoscopists, who assigned them a score according to the changes in the visualization of each FICE mode: +2, strong improvement; +1, slight improvement; 0, no relevant changes; -1, slight worsening; -2, clear worsening. When the sum of the scores of the three observers was 3 or more, visualization was considered to have improved; a score of 2 to -2 indicated no change; and a score of from -3 to -6 indicated poorer visualization. RESULTS: The FICE 1 mode improved visualization of angiodysplastic and vascular lesions in 16/18 patients (88.9%) and that of erosions/ulcers in 14/18 patients (77.8%). The FICE 2 mode improved these lesions in 88.9% and 55.5%, respectively. The FICE 3 mode only improved visualization of these lesions in 5/18 (27.7%) and 1/18 patients (5.5%), respectively. Likewise, the distinct FICE modes improved visualization of polyps/tumors in 2/14 (14.2%), 3/13 (21.4%) and 4/14 (28.5%) for FICE 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The application of CE-FICE modes 1 and 2 could improve the characterization of angiodysplastic/vascular lesions and erosions or ulcers in small bowel lesions. However, FICE 3 seems to provide no significant advantages. None of the CE-FICE modes seems to improve the characterization of polyps and tumors.

[Descriptive study of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver]. / Estudio descriptivo de la experiencia sobre carcinoma hepatocelular en hígado no cirrótico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer. In western countries its impact is steadily growing and most of these tumors arise in cirrhotic liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of HCC developing in noncirrhotic patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 469 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2003 and December 2007. Patients who met the histological criteria, or a combination of clinical, laboratory, imaging and hemodynamic criteria for the absence of cirrhosis were included. RESULTS: We identified 29 patients with a diagnosis of HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (6.2%). Most (86.2%) were men and the median age was 61.6 (23 - 82) years. The most frequent histology of the liver was mild-moderate liver fibrosis (68.9%) and 62.1% of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. HCC was a solitary nodule in 86.2%, and the median size of the main nodule was 46 (20 - 150) mm. Macroscopic vascular invasion was demonstrated in two patients and bone metastases in a further two patients. Active treatment was provided in 25 patients, consisting of tumoral resection in 15, radiofrequency ablation in six and transarterial chemoembolization in four. The overall cumulative survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 84.3%, 67.2% and 50.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: HCC arising in non-cirrhotic liver is uncommon and there is wide tumor extension at diagnosis. Nevertheless, in most patients, treatment with curative intent can be applied, achieving better survival than that expected patients with cirrhosis.

[Optimization of ascitic fluid culture in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis]. / Optimización del cultivo de líquido ascítico en el contexto clínico de la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is ascitic fluid (AF) infection in the absence of an intraperitoneal source of infection in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of microbiological cultures to optimize their collection and systematic implementation in routine clinical practice. METHODS: We analyzed two cohorts: the first consisted of retrospective data from the clinical records of 156 consecutive episodes of SBP from January 2003 to December 2005 (group R), and the second was composed of data collected prospectively from October 2007 to October 2008, consisting of 79 episodes (group P), with systematic inoculation of 10 cc of AF in each blood culture bottle. RESULTS: No significant differences were demonstrated in baseline epidemiological or clinical characteristics among episodes, except the more frequent presence of alcoholic liver disease and the incidence of tense ascites, paralytic ileus and kidney failure at diagnosis in group P. Microbiological isolation in AF was achieved in 12.2% of the episodes in group R compared with 53.2% in group P (p = 0.001) and 8.5 and 26.6% (p = 0.001) in blood culture, respectively. Microbiological isolation was achieved in 65.8% of episodes in group P versus 19.2% in group R (OR 8; 95% CI: 4.4-14.9; p = 0.001). The most frequently isolated organism in AF in group P was Escherichia coli (42.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing the diagnostic procedure in cirrhotic patients with ascites significantly increases diagnostic microbiologic performance.

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients over 65 years]. / Peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes con cirrosis mayores de 65 años.

AIMS: Our aim was to study the episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients older than 65 years. Their clinical characteristics were compared with a cohort of cirrhotic patients with SBP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on all hospital discharged patients diagnosed with SBP in the period from January 2003 to December 2005, obtaining a total of 158 episodes. Two groups of patients were created: those over 65 (group 1: 73 episodes) and those aged 65 years (group 2: 86 episodes). A descriptive study, an analysis of survival by Kaplan Meier curves (compared with log-rank test) and a Cox regression analysis was conducted comparing the two groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, males were 74%, the average age was 72.4 (SD 4.2) years, and the Child-Pugh distribution was 8.2% (A), 68.5% (B) and 23.3% (C).The most usual etiology of cirrhosis was viral (65.8%). In comparison with group 2, there was a superior frequency of renal impairment at admission, hepatocellular carcinoma and a viral etiology. Yet the bilirubin levels were higher in group 2. In-hospital mortality rate was 23.3%. The survival at 3 and 6 months was of 69.5% and 54.8%, while in group 2 it was 80.3% and 78.4% respectively (p=0001). An age> 65 years, the existence of hepatocellular carcinoma and a Mean Arterial Pressure <75 mm Hg at admission, in the overall cohort, were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: An age above 65 years is an independent predictor of mortality following the development of an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.

[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a jejunal stromal tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1]. / Hemorragia digestiva alta, secundaria a un tumor estromal yeyunal, en un paciente con neurofibromatosis tipo 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a multisystemic disease with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, complete penetrance and variable expressivity. This disease affects one in every 3,000 individuals and one out of every 200 patients with mental retardation. Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors is one of the many complications associated with NF1. We report the case of a patient with NF1 admitted to hospital for severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to a jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with favorable outcome after surgical removal.

[Prognostic value of a spontaneous bacterial peritonitis episode in cirrhotic patients in clinical practice]. / Valor pronóstico de un episodio de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes cirróticos en la práctica clínica.

OBJECTIVES: To assess survival and predictive factors of mortality after an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients and to analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic measures used. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 158 consecutive episodes of SBP treated between January 2003 and December 2005. Survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curves, compared by the log-rank test. Independent predictive factors of mortality were obtained by a Cox regression model, while independent predictive factors of in-hospital mortality were obtained by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80.4% of the SBP episodes occurred in men and the mean age was 61.23 +/- 12.49 years. The most frequent etiology of cirrhosis was viral (51.3%), followed by alcoholic (39.9%). The distribution of Child-Pugh classification was 5.7% (A), 63.3% (B) and 31% (C). Overall 3-year survival in the sample was 43.3%. Four variables were identified as independent predictive factors of in-hospital and 3-month mortality: renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 75 mmHg. At the end of the monitoring period, the results of the analysis were as follows: diagnosis of HCC, MAP < 75 mmHg, and age > 65 years. Microbiological detection was achieved in 21% of the episodes. The most frequent microorganisms detected were Escherichia coli in ascitic fluid and Staphylococcus aureus in blood cultures. CONCLUSIONS: SBP has a poor short- and long-term prognosis in cirrhotic patients. Independent predictive factors of short-term survival are renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, MAP < 75 mmHg, and the presence of HCC.

[Acute portal thrombosis in patients with hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin]. / Trombosis portal aguda en pacientes con hepatitis C crónica en tratamiento con interferón pegilado y ribavirina.

The combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the first option treatment for chronic hepatitis C (HCC). Although not frequent, several vascular adverse events, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome and central retinal vein occlusion, have been associated with the use of pegylated and standard interferon. We report the cases of two patients with HCC who, while receiving treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, developed decompensated liver disease. Radiological tests revealed acute portal thrombosis. After the diagnosis was established, anticoagulant therapy was started, which resolved the portal thrombosis.