Importance of assessing for cannabis use prior to propofol sedation for endoscopy.

Recently, we´ve noticed an increasing in the whole propofol dose in endoscopy in relation to cannabis use. This issue is not described in the current data (technical datasheet). We´re really concern that, unfortunately, it´ll be more and more frequent.

Early work activities after sedation with propofol in digestive endoscopy.

The benefits of the sedation provided by propofol in digestive endoscopy, either by an endoscopist or an anesthetist, are now undeniable. One of these benefits is a shorter recovery time after endoscopy. Assessment scales are currently available that allow a more efficient discharge from endoscopy units.

Implementation of a hepatology and gastroenterology teleconsultation for our penitentiary center.

The use of telemedicine in penitentiary centers (PCs) is an effective measure to improve quality access to specialized care (secondary prevention) and reduces the inherent costs derived from physical consultations of inmates in hospitals. Regarding the project of our Community Health Service, we enthusiastically began a gastroenterology teleconsultation in our PC at the end of 2020. This modality completes the monthly/on-demand hepatology consultation carried out in this PC since 2015.

Cellulase, Coca-Cola®, pancreatin and ursodeoxycholic acid in the dissolution of gastric bezoars: why not all together?

Two cases of a chemical dissolution of gastric phytobezoars are presented. The novel approach of that management is the pharmacological mixture than completely made disappear the bezoars in patients fated to surgery removal.

A complication following a biopsy sample in eosinophilic esophagitis.

We present a case of a young 16 year old patient that had an esophageal perforation in the context of eosinophilic esophagitis. The esophagus showed vertical lacerations and mucosal thickness on endoscopy, thus a biopsy was performed in the proximal section which resulted in profuse bleeding due to a deep mucosal tear. A subsequent computed tomography scan revealed a perforation. Due to the absence of symptoms the patient was managed conservatively. The patient was discharged within 48 hours after admission. The histopathology analysis showed a massive eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosa that verified the clinical suspicion.

Lactose tolerance test shortened to 30 minutes: An exploratory study of its feasibility and impact.

INTRODUCTION: Lactose malabsorption (LM) is a very common condition with a high prevalence in our setting. Lactose tolerance test (LTT) is a basic, affordable test for diagnosis that requires no complex technology. It has been recently shown that this test can be shortened to 3 measurements (baseline, 30 min, 60 min) with no impact on final results. The purpose of our study was to assess the feasibility and benefits of LTT simplification and shortening to 30 min, as well as the financial impact entailed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter, observational study of consecutive patients undergoing LTT for LM suspicion. Patients received 50 g of lactose following a fasting period of 12 h, and had blood collected from a vein at all 3 time points for the measurement of blood glucose (mg/dl). Differences between the shortened and complete test forms were analyzed using McNemar´s test. A comparison of blood glucose levels between patients with normal and abnormal results was performed using Student´s T-test for independent mean values. Consistency was assessed using the kappa index. A p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients (69.6 % females) were included, with a mean age of 39.9 ± 16 years. LTT was abnormal for 151 patients (55.9 %). We observed no statistically significant differences in baseline blood glucose levels between patients with normal and abnormal LTT results (p = 0.13); however, as was to be expected, such differences were obvious for the remaining time points (p < 0.01). Deleting blood glucose measurements at 60 minutes only led to overdiagnose LM (false positive results) in 6 patients (2.22 %), with a kappa index of 0.95 (95 % CI: 0.92-0.99) (p < 0.001) versus the complete test. Suppressing measurements at 60 min would have saved at least € 7,726. CONCLUSION: The shortening of LTT to only 2 measurements (baseline and 30-min) hardly leads to any differences in final results, and would entail savings in time, materials, and personnel.

[Diagnostic capability of carcinoembryonic antigen elevation]. / Capacidad diagnóstica del antígeno carcinoembrionario.

INTRODUCTION: There is little information on the oncologic diagnostic accuracy of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels more than 3-fold above normal. OBJETIVES: To determine the prevalence of underlying cancer in patients with mild CEA elevation and the mean cost per patient of CEA determination. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in all patients with CEA elevation (3-10 ng/ml) and suspicion of cancer referred to the gastroenterology or internal medicine outpatient units from 2001 to 2007. RESULTS: We studied 100 patients (60 men and 40 women), with a mean age of 67.4 ± 14.2 years and baseline CEA of 5.8 ± 1.7 ng/ml. The most important symptoms and signs were laboratory abnormalities (19 patients [19%]). Cancer was diagnosed in 4 patients (one gastric, 2 lung and one colon). Among patients without malignancies, 49 patients (49%) had no related processes, and 47 (47%) had benign diseases. During follow-up, one laryngeal cancer, one acute myeloid leukemia, and one colon cancer were detected (54.3 ± 24.6 months). We found no differences between baseline CEA levels in patients with and without cancer (6.6 ± 2.4 vs. 5.8 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.2). The mean cost per patient was 503.6 ± 257.6 €. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer was detected in a small proportion (7%) of patients with mild CEA elevation. The study of these patients is directly and indirectly associated with a not inconsiderable cost.

[Adequate rate of response to hepatitis B virus vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease]. / Eficacia de la vacuna contra el virus de la hepatitis B en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may have an increased risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HB) infection. Invasive procedures such as colonoscopies and surgery might be some of the reasons for this. Moreover, the use of immunosuppressors may reactivate a latent infection. We assessed the immune status among IBD patients receiving HB vaccine and the circumstances that predicted its results. AIMS AND METHODS: Serological markers of B and C hepatitis virus in patients with IBD who were referred for consultation were assessed since 2006. The subsequent determination of antibodies against superficial antigen (HBsAb) could differentiate between responders and non responders to the vaccine and an adequate immunity to HB was defined as higher than 10mUI/ml. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty nine patients were included in our study. Fifty-six (43,4%) patients had received immunosuppressive medication before the first vaccine dose. Notably, 85 (65.9%) patients had inadequate levels of HBsAb: 36 had no detectable levels and 49 had less than 10mUI/ml. Younger patients had a better immunity response than older patients (30.91+/-14.8 vs 39.91+/-14.2) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients had a suboptimal serologic response after vaccination. Only the younger group showed a better rate of response. It was not demonstrated whether an additional fourth dose of vaccination or a complete revaccination improved the rate of responders.

[Usefulness of ultrathin transnasal endoscopy for the placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes]. / Utilidad de la endoscopia ultrafina transnasal en la aplicación de sondas de nutrición enteral.

BACKGROUND: Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes can require endoscopic support. AIM: To analyze the usefulness of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an ambispective study of all patients who underwent nasoenteral feeding (4.9 mm) in 2007. RESULTS: Twenty-six procedures were performed. The mean age of the patients was 69.3+/-13 years. Nasal anesthesia was used in 23 patients (88.4%), and midazolam in 8 (30.8%). No anesthesia was used in 4 patients (15.3%). INDICATIONS: stenotic esophageal lesions (42.3%), distal placement to the pathological alteration (46.1%), and failure of placement through the normal route (11.5%). We placed 13 (50%) nasoduodenal, 7 (29.6%) nasogastric and 6 (23.1%) nasojejunal tubes. The success rate was 100%. The most frequently used calibre was 12 F. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in our patients was safe, effective and relatively easy.

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients aged less than 18 years old: our experience]. / Colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica en pacientes menores de 18 años: nuestra experiencia.

BACKGROUND: There is scant information on the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients under 18. OBJECTIVE: To analyze our experience in all patients under 18 who underwent ERCP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all ERCP conducted in patients under 18 between 1993 and 2006. We analyzed indications, endoscopic and radiologic findings, diagnostic and therapeutic success, and complications. RESULTS: We included 31 patients who underwent 36 ERCP in total. The mean age was 9.89 +/- 5 years old. We used general anesthesia in 58.3% (21 patients), with a mean age of 8 +/- 5 years. The most frequent indications were complications after liver transplantation in 33.3% (12 patients), suspicion of biliary obstruction in 27.7% (10 patients), and pancreatitis in 22.2% (8 patients). We achieved cannulation and repletion in the selected duct in 94.4%. The most frequent pathologic findings were changes in the biliary tract after liver transplantation in 25% (9 patients). The results of ERCP were normal in 10 patients (27.7%). Therapeutic maneuvers were indicated in 17 out of the 34 (50%) examinations considered, achieving therapeutic success in 76.47% (13/17). Complications consisted of hemorrhage after simple sphincterotomy in one patient (2.8%) and mild pancreatitis in two patients (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: We found ERCP to be a safe procedure with a high diagnostic and therapeutic success rate, and a low rate of early complications.

[An atypical case of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage]. / Caso atípico de hemorragia digestiva masiva.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are an infrequent cause (<1%) of severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Treatment is mainly surgical through complete tumoral resection. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room with severe gastrointestinal bleeding manifested by melena. On physical examination the patient had a painless, palpable mass in the left abdomen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, computed tomography, angiography and urgent surgical intervention led to diagnosis of a jejunal GIST.

[Diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin in predicting an abnormal colonoscopy]. / Precisión diagnóstica de la calprotectina fecal para predecir una colonoscopia patológica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Abdominal pain and diarrhoea are common symptoms in the general population. The colonoscopy is the gold standard method of detecting an organic pathology in the colon. However, it is invasive; it can not be repeated frecuently; it is expensive; and the system is overloaded. Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is a marker that may detect organic pathologies of the colon. The aims of this study were to analyze the usefulness of FCP to predict an abnormal colonoscopy and to correlate the levels of FCP with the degree of activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PATIENTS AND METHOD: 190 people were included in the study. All of them underwent a colonoscopy and a stool sample. People were divided in: normal colonoscopy: 117 people, and 28 colon adenomas, 20 colorectal cancer (CRC) and 25 IBD. RESULTS: The mean (SD) FCP concentration was 2,171.1 (2,133.6) mg/kgin patients with IBD and 726.6 mg/kg (533) in CRC. Both results were significantly elevated compared with those of healthy controls [114 (113)] mg/kg In patients with IBD, their levels correlated directly with the activity of the inflammation. 217 mg/kg was the best cut-off for discriminating patients with organic colon disorders. The sensibility was 85% and NPV was 93%. NSAIDs use was a clinical variable which was connected with a high FCP concentration in patients with normal colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The higher levels of FCP were found in people with IBD and CRC. The measurement of FCP is a non-invasive, inexpensive, reliable and easily measured test. Among people with abdominal pain and diarrhoea, testing for FCP allows us to select those who must undergo a colonoscopy. NSAIDs can raise the levels of FCP in people with normal colonoscopies.