Tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of tenesmus associated with rectal prolapse.

AIM: Tenesmus in rectal prolapse leads to a vicious circle of straining with deterioration of prolapse. The primary phenomenon triggering this may be rectal hypersensitivity. We aimed to assess whether treatment with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) may break the vicious circle and improve tenesmus. METHOD: A retrospective review was carried out of patients with rectal prolapse and severe tenesmus who were poor surgical candidates or had refused surgery. They were treated at our tertiary centre with low dose tricyclic antidepressants. RESULTS: Twenty-three (18 female) patients were included, with mean age 75.3 (±SD 14.6) years. The mean duration of symptoms was 10.8 (± 8.6) months. Full-thickness rectal prolapse was diagnosed in 16 (70%) patients while seven (30%) had mucosal or incomplete prolapse. Ten (43%), eight (35%) and five (22%) patients were treated with nortriptyline (25 mg daily), amitriptyline (10 mg daily) and desipramine (25 mg daily). After a mean follow-up of 9.05 (± 8.2) months, 14 (61%) patients reported significant improvement in symptoms, five (22%) had a partial response, three (13%) were lost to follow-up and one (4%) failed to respond. The response rates for nortriptyline, desipramine and amitriptyline were 90%, 100% and 62.5%. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first report to address the symptomatic, conservative treatment of tenesmus in patients with rectal prolapse. TCAs may be an acceptable option for poor surgical candidates or patients refusing surgery.

Use of surface acoustic waves to reduce pain and discomfort related to indwelling nasogastric tube.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Nasogastric intubation, one of the most widely utilized therapeutic procedures in medical practice, is associated with trauma, pain, and discomfort, which can occur both at insertion and during the indwelling phase. Although lubricating jelly is useful during the insertion phase, insertion can still cause great discomfort. Furthermore, the jelly is rapidly absorbed and therefore is unable to decrease the friction between the tissues and the tube during the indwelling phase of the nasogastric tube. The aim of this study was to test a device, the NG-Shield, that generates surface acoustic waves on the surfaces of the nasogastric tube to reduce contact time and thus friction between the nasogastric tube and body tissues. PATIENT AND METHODS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled in a single-center, crossover, blinded study, in which a nasogastric tube was inserted and left indwelling for 6 hours. Throughout the indwelling period the device was activated and deactivated alternately every hour, and the volunteers were questioned every hour about their pain and discomfort levels as well as grading pain and discomfort upon insertion and removal of the nasogastric tube. Pain and discomfort levels were compared between active and nonactive phases of the device. RESULTS: The activated NG-Shield was found to reduce both pain and discomfort significantly in both the nose and throat throughout the indwelling phase. CONCLUSIONS: The NG-Shield is a safe and effective device for reducing pain and discomfort associated with an indwelling nasogastric tube.

Prospective multicenter performance evaluation of the second-generation colon capsule compared with colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A second-generation capsule endoscopy system, using the PillCam Colon 2, was developed to increase sensitivity for colorectal polyp detection compared with the first-generation system. The performance of this new system is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a five-center feasibility study, second-generation capsule endoscopy was prospectively compared with conventional colonoscopy as gold standard for the detection of colorectal polyps and other colonic disease, in a cohort of patients scheduled for colonoscopy and having known or suspected colonic disease. Colonoscopy was independently performed within 10 hours after capsule ingestion. Capsule-positive but colonoscopy-negative cases were counted as false-positive. RESULTS: 104 patients (mean age 49.8 years) were enrolled; data from 98 were analyzed. Patient rate for polyps of any size was 44 %, 53 % of these patients having adenomas. No adverse events related to either procedure were reported. The capsule sensitivity for the detection of patients with polyps >or= 6 mm was 89 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 70 - 97) and for those with polyps >or= 10 mm it was 88 % (95 %CI 56 - 98), with specificities of 76 % (95 %CI 72 - 78) and 89 % (95 %CI 86 - 90), respectively. Both polyps missed by colonoscopy and mismatch in polyp size by study definition lowered specificity. Overall colon cleanliness for capsule endoscopy was adequate in 78 % of patients (95 %CI 68 - 86). CONCLUSIONS: The new second-generation colon capsule endoscopy is a safe and effective method for visualizing the colon and detecting colonic lesions. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting colorectal polyps appear to be very good, suggesting a potential for improved accuracy compared with the first-generation system. Further prospective and comparative studies are needed.

New balloon-guided technique for deep small-intestine endoscopy using standard endoscopes.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The advent of capsule endoscopy has opened the entire small bowel to direct inspection. The identification of pathology often requires diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The available means today are push enteroscopy (limited to the proximal small bowel), intraoperative enteroscopy (invasive) and push-pull double-balloon enteroscopy (very effective but requires an expensive dedicated system). The aim of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of a novel push-pull technique, balloon-guided endoscopy (BGE), which can be used with standard endoscopic equipment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with various disorders of the small intestine were examined by BGE. Various endoscopes were used and insertion depth was measured as is customary in double-balloon enteroscopy, by adding together the length of all the insertions of the endoscope performed during the push-pull steps. RESULTS: In 17 peroral intubations of the small bowel the average insertion depth beyond the ligament of Treitz was 1.45 m; insertion depth ranged from 0.80 m to 2.65 m. BGE advancement was deeper than in published results for push enteroscopy, though not equaling those for double-balloon enteroscopy. In the three transanal procedures the ileocecal valve was traversed and the terminal ileum intubated. No severe adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: BGE is safe. BGE enables deep intubation of the small bowel beyond the ligament of Treitz utilizing standard endoscopes. Insertion depth with this technique is beyond that achieved by push enteroscopy. Further studies are needed, and technical improvements will lead to deeper insertion.

Detecting esophageal disease with second-generation capsule endoscopy: initial evaluation of the PillCam ESO 2.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) provides an alternative, minimally invasive modality for evaluating the esophagus. This study evaluates the performance and test characteristics of a second-generation esophageal capsule endoscope, the PillCam ESO 2. METHODS: Adults with known or suspected esophageal disease were included. Using the simplified ingestion procedure, each patient underwent capsule endoscopy with the PillCam ESO 2. Following ECE, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed on the same day by an investigator who was blinded to the results of the ECE. In random order, capsule endoscopy videos were read and interpreted by the study investigator blinded to EGD results. RESULTS: 28 patients (19 men, 9 women; mean age 53.3 years) were included. In 82 % of the patients, at least 75 % of the Z line was visualized by the PillCam ESO 2. A per-lesion analysis demonstrated that the PillCam ESO 2 had definitive results in 30/43 lesions (69.8 %) and EGD in 29/43 (67.4 %), P value = 0.41. Compared with EGD for detecting suspected Barrett's esophagus and esophagitis, the PillCam ESO 2 had a sensitivity of 100 % and a specificity of 74 %, and a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 87 %, respectively. The PillCam ESO 2 demonstrated 86 % agreement with EGD in describing the Z line (kappa statistic 0.68). The modified ingestion protocol provided excellent cleansing, with bubbles/saliva having no or only a minor effect on Z line images in 86 % of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The PillCam ESO 2 demonstrated excellent visualization of the Z line. Compared with standard EGD, the PillCam ESO 2 had good test characteristics with high rates of detection of suspected Barrett's esophagus and esophagitis. This study provides indirect validation of the simplified ingestion procedure. The PillCam ESO 2 acquires high quality esophageal images, performs safely, and should be able to replace the current PillCam ESO.

Heads or tails, does it make a difference? Capsule endoscope direction in small bowel studies is important.

Capsule endoscopy has opened the small bowel for direct inspection. However, the diagnostic sensitivity of capsule endoscopy is not 100 %. We have observed that forward orientation and backward orientation of the camera in the small bowel provide different information on pathological findings. Double-head capsule endoscopy may offer the answer to this problem.

Evaluation of the PillCam Colon capsule in the detection of colonic pathology: results of the first multicenter, prospective, comparative study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Population-based screening for colorectal cancer is widely recommended, with conventional colonoscopy considered to be the preferred diagnostic modality. However, compliance with screening colonoscopy is low and manpower capacity is limited. Capsule endoscopy might therefore represent a desirable alternative strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The PillCam Colon capsule endoscope was prospectively tested in a multicenter setting. The indications for endoscopy in the enrolled patients included colorectal cancer screening (43 %), postpolypectomy surveillance (26 %), and lower gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (31 %). Study subjects underwent colon preparation and then ingested the capsule on the morning of the examination, with conventional colonoscopy being performed the same day. The PillCam Colon capsule findings were reviewed by three experts in capsule endoscopy who were blinded to the conventional colonoscopy findings. RESULTS: A total of 91 subjects were enrolled in three Israeli centers (55 men, 36 women; mean age 57), and the results were evaluable in 84 cases. The capsule was excreted within 10 hours in 74 % of the patients and reached the rectosigmoid colon in the other 16 %. Of the 84 evaluable patients, 20 (24 %) had significant findings, defined as at least one polyp of 6 mm or more in size or three or more polyps of any size: 14/20 (70 %) were identified with the capsule and 16/20 (80 %) were identified by conventional colonoscopy. Polyps of any size were found in 45 patients, 34/45 (76 %) found by the capsule and 36/45 (80 %) by conventional colonoscopy. In comparison with conventional colonoscopy, false-positive findings on PillCam Colon capsule examination were recorded in 15/45 cases (33 %). There were no adverse events related to the capsule endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: PillCam Colon capsule endoscopy appears to be a promising new modality for colonic evaluation. Further improvements in the procedure will probably increase capsule examination completion and polyp detection rates. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the accuracy of PillCam Colon endoscopy in other patient populations with different prevalence levels of colonic disease.

PillCam ESO in esophageal studies: improved diagnostic yield of 14 frames per second (fps) compared with 4 fps.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Capsule endoscopy, using the PillCam ESO and sending images at a rate of 4 frames per second (fps), has a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) lesions. We tested a new device which produces images at a rate of 14 fps. The diagnostic performance and esophageal visualization of these two devices were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 42 patients with GERD symptoms and eight patients with a history of Barrett's esophagus had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). All patients underwent capsule endoscopy of the esophagus within 1 hour prior to EGD. The first 25 patients had a capsule endoscopy examination with the 4-fps device. The following 25 patients underwent capsule endoscopy under identical conditions but using the 14-fps device. The reader of the capsule endoscopy study was blinded to the EGD findings. A diagnosis of GERD or Barrett's esophagus was established with EGD. The findings at capsule endoscopy were compared with the EGD findings. We also examined how frequently the esophagus in its entirety was visualized by these two devices. RESULTS: The 4-fps device diagnosed 16/19 cases of esophageal erosions or ulcers (sensitivity 84 %) and 6/8 cases of Barrett's esophagus (sensitivity 75 %). The 14-fps capsule diagnosed 16/16 cases of esophageal ulcers or erosions and 7/7 cases of Barrett's esophagus (sensitivity 100 %). The total diagnostic miss rate in the 4-fps group was 5/27 (18 %) whereas the diagnostic miss rate in the 14-fps group was 0/23 (0 %) P < 0.02). The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) was clearly identified in 6/25 patients (24 %) in the 4-fps group and in 20/25 patients (80 %) in the 14-fps group ( P < 0.01). The entire esophagus was well visualized in 3/25 patients (12 %) by the 4-fps device and in 19/25 (76 %) by the 14-fps device ( P < 0.01). The superiority of the 14-fps PillCam ESO capsule is consistent with the data obtained from fluoroscopic studies of swallowed PillCam capsules, showing that capsule speed may reach 20 cm/s. For the 14-fps PillCam this means one image transmitted per 3-cm segment at maximal capsule speed, therefore still allowing for full visualization of the entire esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy using the 14-fps PillCam ESO showed a greater sensitivity than that of the 4-fps device for identifying GERD. The 14-fps PillCam ESO was statistically superior to the 4-fps device in visualizing the opening of the UES and the entirety of the esophagus.

Combined endoscopic and surgical management of Mirizzi syndrome.

Mirizzi syndrome is a form of obstructive jaundice caused by a stone impacted in the gallbladder neck or the cystic duct that impinges on the common hepatic duct with or without a cholecystocholedochal fistula. This syndrome is a rare complication of cholelithiasis that accounts for 0.1% of all patients with gallstone disease. Preoperative recognition is necessary to prevent injury to the common duct during surgery. We present a patient with a preoperative diagnosis of type I Mirizzi syndrome that was confirmed and drained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), followed by subtotal cholecystectomy. A review of the literature covering its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical treatment is also presented.

A double stomach in an adult.

Gastric duplication cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies and are rarely diagnosed in adults. We present a unique case of a communicating type gastric duplication in a young woman with the multimodality imaging findings including barium examination, CT, and endoscopy. The morphological criteria for diagnosis of duplication cyst suggested pathogenetic mechanisms for its formation as well as clinical presentation. Associated pathologies are reviewed.

Barrett's esophagus in a young patient with Raynaud's phenomenon.

We describe a 12-year-old girl with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) of 3 years' duration, who developed Barrett's esophagus with severe stricture. Barrett's esophagus complicating progressive systemic sclerosis has been reported in adult patients, but not in childhood. Barrett's esophagus following RP alone has not been reported, to the best of our knowledge, in any age group.

Reduction of aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal damage with ranitidine.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine if concomitant administration of ranitidine, an H2-receptor antagonist, could reduce the gastroduodenal mucosal damage associated with short-term (3 day) aspirin therapy. Nineteen subjects received ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. plus aspirin 650 mg q.i.d., and 21 received placebo b.i.d. plus aspirin 650 mg q.i.d. for 3 days. Gastric injury and duodenal injury were assessed separately on the basis of pre- and posttreatment endoscopic examinations. The ranitidine/aspirin group had significantly less mucosal damage in the stomach (p less than or equal to 0.01) and duodenum (p less than 0.05) than the placebo/aspirin group. There was no significant difference in mean serum salicylate levels between treatment groups after 3 days of aspirin consumption, indicating that the protective effect was achieved without compromising salicylate absorption.

Bleeding after liver biopsy in a patient with systemic mastocytosis and malabsorption.

Systemic mastocytosis, with its diffuse infiltration of mast cells into various organs, has resulted in intestinal malabsorption and bleeding diatheses. The pathophysiology underlying these phenomena is unclear, but may be related to the release of histamine and heparin containing mast cell granules. A patient with systemic mastocytosis had malabsorption and developed massive bleeding after percutaneous liver biopsy. Histologic involvement of skin, duodenum, rectum, liver, and bone marrow was documented. Mastocytosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of malabsorption.

Massive hepatic hemorrhage associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We treated two patients with laceration of the liver that was precipitated by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and recognized antemortem. Both patients had myocardial infarctions and had received heparin sodium therapy. They had excruciating abdominal pain and bled massively, resulting in hypovolemic shock. When severe abdominal pain associated with hypovolemic shock occurs in a patient who has received CPR, hepatic laceration, hematoma, or both should be considered. This is even more imperative to recognize in the patient who has received anticoagulation therapy.

Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. Clinical features, similarity to regional enteritis, and analysis of 338 documented cases.

A case of ileal adenocarcinoma is presented and the clinical features of adenocarcinoma of the small bowel are discussed. Special attention is paid to the differentiation of this tumor from Crohn's disease. Analysis of Connecticut Tumor Registry data on 338 cases of small intestinal adenocarcinoma occurring between 1935 and 1978 reveals a predilection for the elderly but no sex predominance (male/female = 0.965). Two hundred fifty-four patients were followed for at least 5 yr, and the overall (1935-1978) 5-yr survival rate was 17.3%. No improvement in survival has taken place in Connecticut over the past 40 yr.

Nonobstructive pyelonephritis initially seen as acute renal failure.

The triad of elevated SGOT and lactic dehydrogenase levels, positive blood and urine cultures, and acute renal failure was noted in a patient with severe pyelonephritis. Bilateral medullary necrosis was found on biopsy and at postmortem examination. These findings may help establish a prompt antemortem diagnosis.