Diagnosis and treatment of primary thyroid lymphoma from a surgical perspective: a multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: Surgery of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) has been mostly limited to diagnostic work-up. This study aimed to further study its potential role. METHODS: This was a retrospective study from a multi-institutional registry of PTL patients. Clinical, diagnostic work-up (fine needle aspiration, FNA; core needle biopsy, CoreNB), contribution of surgery (open surgical biopsy, OpenSB; thyroidectomy), histology subtype, and outcome data were evaluated. RESULTS: Some 54 patients were studied. Diagnostic work-up included FNA in 47 patients, CoreNB in 11, and OpenSB in 21. CoreNB yielded the best sensitivity (90.9%). Thyroidectomy was performed in 14 patients with other diagnosis (incidental PTL), in 4 for diagnosis and in 4 for elective treatment of PTL. Incidental PTL was associated with not performed FNA nor CoreNB (OR 52.5; P = 0.008), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) subtype (OR 24.3; P = 0.012), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (OR 11.1; P = 0.032). Lymphoma-related death (10 cases) mostly occurred within the first year after diagnosis and was associated with diffuse large B-cell (DLBC) subtype (OR 10.3; P = 0.018) and older patients (OR 1.08 for every 1-year increase; P = 0.010). There was a trend towards lower mortality rate in patients receiving thyroidectomy (2/22 versus 8/32, P = 0.172). CONCLUSION: Incidental PTL accounts for most of thyroid surgery cases and are associated with incomplete diagnostic work-up, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and MALT subtype. CoreNB appears to be the best tool for diagnosis. Most of PTL deaths occurred during the first year after diagnosis and mostly related to systemic treatment. Age and DLBC subtype are poor prognostic factors.

Use of fully covered self-expanding metal stents for the management of benign biliary conditions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: biliary self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have the advantage of being inserted undeployed with very small sizes and provide, when fully opened, large diameters for biliary drainage. However, their use in benign conditions has been very limited, mainly because of difficulty in their extraction. We present our initial experience with a fully covered SEMS (Wallflex) for the management of benign problems of the bile duct. PATIENTS AND METHODS: in a prospective study, stents of 8 mm in diameter and 4, 6 or 8 cm long were inserted by means of ERCP. These SEMS were chosen when according to medical judgement it was thought that diameters greater than 10 French (3.3 mm) were needed for proper biliary drainage. Stents were extracted also endoscopically, several months later when deemed clinically appropriate. RESULTS: twenty biliary SEMS were inserted. Reasons for insertion were: large intrahepatic biliary fistula after hydatid cyst surgery (1), perforation of the papillary area following endoscopic sphincterotomy (2), coaxial insertion to achieve patency in obstructed uncovered stents inserted in benign conditions (3), benign strictures (7), multiple and large common bile duct stones that could not be extracted because of tapering and stricturing of the distal common bile duct (7). In all cases, successful biliary drainage was achieved and there were no complications from insertion. Stents were easily extracted after a mean time of 132 days (36-270) in place. Complete resolution of biliary problems was obtained in 14 patients (70%). CONCLUSIONS: in our initial experience, the fully covered Wallflex biliary stent was removed without any complication after being in place in the common bile duct for a mean time of over four months. Therefore, it could be used in the management of benign biliary conditions.

[Palliative management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction with endoscopically inserted self-expanding metal stents].

AIM AND BACKGROUND: the insertion of self-expanding metal stents to palliate malignant gastric outlet obstruction is a minimally invasive procedure that is being increasingly used. We discuss experience with this technique in a level-II hospital in the Spanish National Health System. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective five-year study (2003-2007) was conducted in 23 patients who underwent 27 procedures aimed at resolving malignant gastric outlet obstruction (mean, 0.45 procedures per month) using endoscopically inserted noncovered stents (Wallstent and Wallflex). RESULTS: insertion was technically feasible in all 27 (100%) attempts, with satisfactory clinical results in 25 cases (92.5%). Endoscopy alone was used 10 times (37%), and both endoscopy and fluoroscopy on 17 (63%) occasions. After stent insertion, one patient was intervened for treatment, and a patient with an unsuccessful prosthesis received a palliative surgical bypass. Four stents became obstructed by tumoral ingrowth, and patency was reestablished by inserting a new stent. Obstructive jaundice caused by stents covering the papilla of Vater occurred in three cases. There were no other complications or mortality due to the procedure. Mean survival was 104 days (range 28-400, SD +/- 94). CONCLUSIONS: in our experience endoscopic insertion of self-expanding metal stents appears to be a safe and efficient palliative method for malignant gastric outlet obstruction, and can be performed successfully in a center with our characteristics.

Long-term follow-up of patients with small-bowel angiodysplasia on capsule endoscopy. Determinants of a higher clinical impact and rebleeding rate.

BACKGROUND: the clinical impact of small-bowel angiodysplasia has not been defined. We present a prospective study to determine the features of individuals with a higher risk of rebleeding or a worse clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: thirty patients with angiodysplasia found on CE were included and followed for 12 months. Angiodysplasia were classified by their size as small ( 10 mm). We also studied angiodysplasia lesion numbers in each patient. Rebleeding was defined as a hemoglobin drop of more than 2 g/dl in the absence of melena or hematochezia in the case of occult GI bleeding, or with any or both manifestations. RESULTS: a therapeutic procedure was carried out in 13 patients (43.4%). Individuals with large angiodysplasia had higher transfusion requirements, a higher proportion of therapeutic procedure performed after CE, lower hemoglobin concentration, and a lower rebleeding rate. Patients with ten or more angiodysplasia lesions had also higher transfusion requirements and lower hemoglobin levels, but we found no differences in the number of therapeutic procedures or rebleeding rate between both groups. On follow up rebleeding was detected in 5 patients (16.7%), all of them with small angiodysplasias. Rebleeding was more frequent in patients who did not receive further interventions (23.53 vs. 7.69%; p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: angiodysplasia size >or= 10 mm determines a worse clinical impact and more possibilities of receiving a therapeutic procedure. Our findings support that patients with large lesions would benefit from therapeutic interventions with a reduction in rebleeding rate.

Outcomes of bile duct drainage by means of ERCP in geriatric patients / Resultados del drenaje de la vía biliar por CPRE en pacientes con edad geriátrica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is usually the procedure of choice for relieving bile duct obstruction. a large number of patients undergoing this intervention are geriatric population (aged 75 years of age and older). Our aim was to assess the efficacy of ERCP in this group of patients as compared to younger ones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study. All patients in whom a therapeutic biliary endoscopy had been performed over a four-year period of time (2002-2005) were included. RESULTS: 178 geriatric patients and 159 younger ones underwent ERCP. No differences were found in successful biliary drainage (97.7 vs. 98.7%), complication number (11.8 vs. 14.4%), or mortality rate (1.1 vs. 0.6%). On the other hand, more common bile duct stones were found in geriatric patients (57.3 vs. 39.6%, p = 0.004), and also more self-expanding metal stents were employed to drain malignant obstructive jaundice (47 vs. 8%, p = 0.0035). In the youngest group, more ERCPs were repeated in the same patients (4 vs. 10%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The geriatric population showed similar success and morbidity and mortality rates when compared to younger patients in draining their bile duct by means of ERCP. Common bile duct stones were more frequently found in geriatric patients. No patients needing an ERCP should be excluded only because of their age.

[Pancreatobiliary maljunction. Not only an Eastern disease]. / Unión biliopancreática anómala. Una enfermedad no exclusiva de pacientes orientales.

Pancreatobiliary maljunction, an extramural junction of the pancreatic and biliary ducts in the duodenum, apparently beyond the scope of intramural sphincter function, is thought to be a preferential disease of Eastern people. However, this diagnosis is increasingly being made in other populations. We present a 41-year-old woman who presented with intermittent epigastric pain and mild raise in amylase levels. MRCP did not offer a definitive diagnosis, perhaps because of lack of experience in this disease. Finally, ERCP showed a pancreatobiliary maljunction, type acute angle, but with a complex connection between the choledocus and the pancreatic duct. Fusiform dilation of the common bile duct and of the left main hepatic duct were also present. The patient was referred for extrahepatic biliary resection and a diversion procedure. But also because of lack of experience in this disease, a wait-and-see approach was undertaken. In conclusion, pancreatobiliary maljunction will be increasingly diagnosed in western communities and more diagnostic and therapeutic experience will be needed.

[Treatment of malignant colorectal obstruction by means of endoscopic insertion of self-expandable metallic stents]. / Tratamiento de la obstrucción neoplástica del colon meciante la inserción endoscópica de prótesis metálicas autoexpandibles.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Self-expandable metallic stents are being used increasingly to treat the obstruction of different segments of the digestive tract and biliary tree. We present our centre experience on the initial resolution of malignant colorectal obstruction by means of this type of stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 18-month period, 13 patients patients suffering from malignant obstruction at the level of rectum, sigmoid or descending colon tried to be initially treated by means of endoscopic insertion of stents (non covered enteral Wallstents). Ten procedures were performed with both endoscopy and fluroscopy and three with only endoscopy. RESULTS: In 12 of the 13 patients (92,3%) the obstruction was solved by means of correct stent insertion. All the exclusively endoscopic procedures (without fluoroscopy) were successful. Six (50 %) patients with tumours at the rectosigmoid underwent later scheduled surgery. In the remaining six ones (a patient with an ovarian carcinoma and five with colonic adenocarcinoma) the stents were considered to be a palliative definitive treatment. Stent migration was observed in two of these patients and both were extracted endoscopically. Only one patient needed to have another stent inserted. A tumoural colo-vesical fistula developed in another patient in the palliative group, inside the previous inserted stent, and was treated by coaxial insertion of an esophageal Ultraflex. There were no other complications or mortality related to the endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Self-expandable metallic stents might be considered, in general, as the initial treatment for the malignant obstruction at the level of rectum, sigmoid and descending colon

[Breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: concordance with histological methods and correlation with anatomopathological lesions of the gastric mucosa]. / Prueba del aliento para el diagnóstico de infección por Helicobacter pylori: concordancia con los métodos histológicos y correlación con las lesiones anatomopatológicas de la mucosa gástrica.

PURPOSE: To study the concordance between 13C-urea breath test and histology in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, and to evaluate whether there is a correlation between breath test values and histologic lesions of the gastric mucosa. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with duodenal ulcer were prospectively studied. An endoscopy with biopsy samples (H&E stain) taken from the antrum and body was performed, and a 13C-urea breath test (measuring 13C difference: delta 13CO2) was also done. Both procedures were repeated one month after completing therapy ["classic" triple therapy (n = 28), and omeprazole+amoxycillin (n = 41)]. Eradication was defined as the absence of H. pylori both by histological and breath test methods. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, 94.2% of patients (n = 65) were H. pylori positive by histological methods, and 98.6% (n = 68) were positive by the breath test (ratio of positive agreement = 0.96). Kappa for H. pylori diagnosis after therapy was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.69-0.96). A correlation between delta 13CO2 and histologic lesions was observed, both in the antrum at before treatment (Spearman coef = 0.34; p = 0.007) and after therapy in both the gastric antrum (0.63; p < 0.001) and body (0.35; p = 0.005). A significant difference was observed when comparing mean delta 13CO2 in patients with different degrees of histologic gastritis, both before treatment (antrum: W Kruskal-Wallis = 6; p < 0.05) and after therapy (antrum: W = 17; p < 0.001; body: W = 10; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high concordance was observed between the 13C-urea breath test and histology in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. A correlation exists between breath test values and histologic lesions of the gastric mucosa.

[C13 urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosa. Validation of the method]. / Prueba del aliento con urea marcada con carbono 13 para el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en la mucosa gástrica. Validación del método.

Helicobacter pylori has been implicated as an agent in the pathogenesis of antral gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer and probably in gastric cancer. The C13 urea breath test is a diagnostic method quick to perform, sensitive, reliable and non invasive. It is based on the presence of Helicobacter pylori urease activity, which permits to detect it in the infected mucosa. A substrate (urea) labelled with Carbon 13 is administered to the patient and exhaled breath is collected to detect the possible catabolism product (CO2 labelled with C13). In the European protocol, patients in fasting condition are given a test meal to delay gastric emptying and five minutes later a solution which contents 100 mg of C13 labelled urea. Breath samples are collected before and 30 minutes after urea was given. In our first year of experience, 363 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection detected by histology or urease were studied by C13 urea breath test, with a sensitivity and specificity of 95 and 96%. False negatives may occur if the test is used after antibiotics and other antiulcer drugs. Its main indication is to monitor eradication therapy after treatment. Its possible use as a quantitative test still remains unclear.

[Usefulness of the breath test with urea-13C in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection]. / Utilidad del test del aliento con urea-13C en el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Many diagnostic methods of variable diagnostic profitability are available to detect infection by Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the European method of the breath test with urea-13C and compare the results with common histologic methods, the rapid urease test and serology. METHODS: Thirty-six patients who attended the Endoscopy Unit for recurrent symptomatology of the upper digestive tract were included in the study. A patient was considered to present infection by Helicobacter pylori on positivity of 2 of the usual methods: histology, rapid urease test and serology. RESULTS: The breath test with urea-13C was positive in 25 patients (13CO2 > 5 per 1,000) and negative in 10 patients with 100% specificity and 96% sensitivity. The specificity of the rapid urease test, histology and serologic tests were 90, 90 and 80%, respectively with 92, 88, and 88% sensitivity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The European method of the breath test with urea-13C is simple, non invasive and achieves the greatest profitability in the determination of Helicobacter pylori.