Ranitidine bismuth citrate with either clarithromycin 1 g/day or 1.5 g/day is equally effective in the eradication of H. pylori and healing of duodenal ulcer.

BACKGROUND: No randomized double-blind studies have been performed to compare clarithromycin 1 g/day with higher doses of the macrolide (1.5 g/day) when combined with ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC). AIM: To compare H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing rates of RBC 400 mg b.d. for 4 weeks combined for the first 2 weeks either with clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. (Group A) or clarithromycin 500 mg t.d.s. (Group B). METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-three patients with H. pylori-positive active duodenal ulcer were included. H. pylori infection was detected by CLO-test and histology on antral and corpus biopsies before and at least 4 weeks after the end of therapy. Eradication was assumed if both CLO-test and histology results were negative for H. pylori. RESULTS: Eradication/healing rates according to intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis were 76/82% and 87/92% for Group A and 78/85% and 88/95% for Group B, respectively (P = N.S.). Adverse events were reported by 7% and 12% of patients in Groups A and B, respectively, and they were generally mild. CONCLUSIONS: RBC in co-prescription with clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. is as effective as RBC plus clarithromycin 500 t.d.s. in eradicating H. pylori and healing duodenal ulcers.

Intrahepatic lithiasis. Study of thirty-six cases and review of the literature.

In 2,700 operations for biliary tract stones, intrahepatic lithiasis (stones located proximal to the confluence of the main hepatic ducts) was discovered in 36 patients (1.3 per cent). The diagnosis of intrahepatic lithiasis was determined only via intraoperative chalangiography in thirty-two cases (88.9 er cent); in 23 per cent of our cases of intrahepatic lithiasis, jaundice was never observed. This confirms that intraoperative cholangiography should be performed routinely in every case of biliary lithiasis. The removal of stones was generally performed by an indirect approach (papillostomy and/or choledochotomy). In 16.7 per cent of our cases, a direct approach was indicated. It is extremely important, after removal of calculi, to assure ample bilioenteric flow. Our surgical approach was therefore based mostly on the caliber of the biliary tract. When the tract was dilated less that 2 cm (in 20 cases), choledochohepaticotomy with papillostomy was most often performed (12 cases, 60 per cent). When the dilatation was more that 2 cm (12 cases), Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in all. There was no operative mortality, although the long-term follow-up results were poor in 9.6 per cent of the cases.

[Intrahepatic lithiasis. Apropos of 36 cases of "regional" intraheptic lithiasis]. / La litiasi intraepatica. A proposito di 36 casi di l.i. "nostrana".

Out of 2,700 operations for cholelithiasis and its sequelae (1960-1976), 36 cases (1.3%) of intrahepatic lithiasis (i.l.), namely proximal to the origin of the common hepatic, were observed. The prime objective of treatment namely removal of calculi, was achieved indirectly (hepatocholedochus and/or papilla) in 84% of cases, directly (hilar) in 16%. The second objective, that of ensuring optimal bilio-enteric drainage, was achieved by papillostomy or hepaticojejunostomy depending on the lumen of the bile way (respectively less or more than 2 cm.). Operative mortality was nil, while long-term results have proved poor in 9.6% of cases. The i.l. problematic is dealt with in detail on the basis of this series.

How to predict a high rate of inappropriateness for upper endoscopy in an endoscopic centre?

BACKGROUND: Inappropriateness of upper endoscopy (EGD) indication causes decreased diagnostic yield. Our aim of was to identify predictors of appropriateness rate for EGD among endoscopic centres. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis of two multicentre cross-sectional studies, including 6270 and 8252 patients consecutively referred to EGD in 44 (group A) and 55 (group B) endoscopic Italian centres in 2003 and 2007, respectively, was performed. A multiple forward stepwise regression was applied to group A, and independently validated in group B. A <70% threshold was adopted to define inadequate appropriateness rate clustered by centre. RESULTS: discrete variability of clustered appropriateness rates among the 44 group A centres was observed (median: 77%; range: 41-97%), and a <70% appropriateness rate was detected in 11 (25%). Independent predictors of centre appropriateness rate were: percentage of patients referred by general practitioners (GP), rate of urgent examinations, prevalence of relevant diseases, and academic status. For group B, sensitivity, specificity and area under receiver operating characteristic curve of the model in detecting centres with a <70% appropriateness rate were 54%, 93% and 0.72, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A simple predictive rule, based on rate of patients referred by GPs, rate of urgent examinations, prevalence of relevant diseases and academic status, identified a small subset of centres characterised by a high rate of inappropriateness. These centres may be presumed to obtain the largest benefit from targeted educational programs.

Spontaneous internal biliary fistulas.

Etiology, diagnostic investigations and surgical procedures on 58 patients with spontaneous internal biliary fistulas are reported. Cholelithiasis and peptic ulcer were found to be the presumptive cause of fistula respectively in 53 and five patients. Preoperative diagnosis was established on 31 patients while in the remaining 27 fistula was found incidentally at surgery. Surgical treatment included a wide variety of operations which were performed on the basis of the pathologic features of fistula. Over all mortality rate was 5 percent and morbidity 13 percent. The unsatisfactory results of the surgical treatment of internal biliary fistulas are another strong argument for performing early cholecystectomy in all the patients with cholelithiasis.

Hyperplastic polyp of the stomach simulating hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

We describe a rare case of hyperplastic polyp of the stomach having its clinical origin in the neonatal period and initially stimulating hypertrophic stenosis of the pylorus. After this neoformation, which almost completely obstructed the pylorus, was endoscopically removed, vomiting ceased and a rapid weight gain was observed. It is known that tumors are a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction if compared with hypertrophic stenosis of the pylorus. However, our experience suggests that in the case of atypical symptoms, the investigations should be extended, especially to endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract.