Comparison of efficacy of low-volume bowel cleansers prior to colonoscopy: a randomised, prospective, open-label trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of polyethylene glycol/ascorbic acid (PEGA), sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (SPMC) and the oral sulfate formula (SIR) in a single- or split-dose regimen for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. METHODS: Randomised, multicentre, open-label study. The subjects received either PEGA, SPMC or SIR in the single- or split-dose regimen before the colonoscopy. Quality and tolerability of the preparation and complaints during preparation were recorded using a 5 point scale. RESULTS: 558 subject were analysed. Preparation quality was comparable in the single-dose regimen. The rate of satisfactory bowel cleansing (Aronchick score 1+2) was higher for split-dose SIR and PEGA compared to SPMC (95.6%, 86.2% vs. 72.5%, p.

Differentiating autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.

Differential diagnosis between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer can be very difficult. The main clinical symptoms in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis are jaundice, weight loss, abdominal pain and new onset of diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, the same symptoms could be observed in patients with pancreatic carcinoma too. Imaging methods as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endosonography (EUS); together with serological examination (IgG4 and Ca 19-9) play the important role in differentiation autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer. Extrapancreatic findings are distinctive in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis. In some cases the pancreatic biopsy is indicated, mainly in patients with focal or multifocal form of autoimmune pancreatitis. Response to steroids (decreased pancreatic or extrapancreatic lesion or damage) is distinctive to AIP. In clinical practice, CT scan seems to be the most reasonable tool for examining the patients with obstructive jaundice with or without present pancreatic mass. Stratification the patients with possible AIP versus pancreatic cancer is important. In patients with AIP it may avoid pancreatic resection, as well as incorrect steroid treatment in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

[Use of natriuretic peptides in diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in obese hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Vyuzití natriuretických peptidu v dia-gnostice hypertrofie levé komory srdecní u obézních hypertoniku s metabolickým syndromem.

INTRODUCTION: Presence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy significantly increases cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from hypertension. Diagnostics of LV hypertrophy in hypertensive patients is not easy and there is still no method of enabling a simple and sufficiently sensitive dia-gnosis across a large patient population. The golden standard in LV hypertrophy diagnostics is echocardiography, and there are adverse opinions regarding the use of natriuretic peptides BNP and NT proBNP (NP) to diagnose LV hypertrophy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined through echocardiography 173 hypertensive patients with signs of metabolic syndrome and a moderate increase in blood pressure (130- 159/ 85- 99 mm Hg) with an average age of 54.8 ± 13.54 years, i.e. 119 men and 54 women, who were divided into 2 groups; 1 with BMI > 30 (group A with a severe obesity) and the other without obesity, BMI < 30 (group B). Both groups were examined for BNP and NT proBNP levels. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between NP and LVMi, both for BNP (r = 0.169; p = 0.033) and for NT proBNP (r = 0.240; p = 0.002). NT proBNP statistically significantly predicts the given LV hypertrophy LK in people with BMI < 30 but not in obese people (BMI > 30). CONCLUSION: Obese patients suffer from a higher occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy and paradoxically a lower NP value than patients with a metabolic syndrome (MS) who are not obese. Natriuretic peptides have a limited diagnostic value when assessing left ventricular hypertrophy. They are only of value in patients who are not obese and whose kidney function and systolic myocardial function have not been impaired.

[Comparison of MRCP a ERCP in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis]. / Srovnání MRCP a ERCP v diagnostice choledocholitiázy.

INTRODUCTION: Choledocholithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction. Each of the testing methods used in its diagnosis has its advantages and disadvantages. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The objective of this prospective study is to compare endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis on the basis of own experience and literature data. Set of patients and methodology: The set was studied from the beginning of 2007 to the end of 2012 (i.e. six years). The study assessed prospectively 45 patients (age range 28- 72 years) with symptoms of biliary obstruction, who first underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and subsequently endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was lower, both in our set of patients and according to the literature data, compared to the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (92%, 91% or 93 %). CONCLUSION: Considering the frequency of complications (in some cases serious ones) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is, in spite of its lower sensitivity, the method of choice in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis by means of noninvasive methods, on the basis of which it is possible to refer the patients subsequently for therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

[Specificities of the diagnostics and therapy of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency]. / Zvlástnosti diagnostiky a terapie exokrinní pankreatické nedostatecnosti

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency develops steadily; however, the initial reduction in secretion is practically not diagnosable. More advanced stages, which usually replicate morphological changes, can be determined with tests which asses the exocrine pancreatic capacity. Substantial damage of the pancreas and replacement of viable parenchyma with connective tissue is accompanied by the occurrence of steatorrhoea. This corresponds to a reduction in exocrine pancreatic secretion below 10% of physiological secretion. Exocrine pancreatic secretion tests are still not sufficiently sensitive for diagnosing early stages of pancreas defects and thus are not suitable for diagnostics. Furthermore, detecting reduced exocrine secretion does not provide any information about the aetiology of the disease, e.g. inflammation/tumor. The most precise test is a costly examination, including a stimulation of the gland with enterohormones; however, breath tests are usually recommended for the assessment of exocrine insufficiency therapy. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency therapy consists of administering drugs containing pancreatin (amylase, lipase, and peptidase) to patients diagnosed with steatorrhoea, manifest pancreatic insufficiency. As standard, capsules containing microparticles of 1-2mm are recommended. They have a protective coating that prevents inactivation in the microparticles of the contained enzymes by gastric hydrochloric acid. The drug should be administered during each meal, i.e. several times a day. The most common mistake during pancreatic enzyme therapy is under dosage. The following rule applies to patients with digestive insufficiency: 40,000-50,000 UNT of lipase are to be administered during "main meals" and 25,000 UNT of lipase during morning or afternoon snacks. The drug should be taken during the meal; insufficient treatment and dosage are associated with insufficient digestion and absorption ofa number of substances and also with pancreatic malabsorption.

Benefits of individual imaging methods for diagnosis and monitoring of activity of multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma pathogenesis, pathology, symptoms and imaging techniques used in clinical diagnostic algorithm, the indications and the differences between currently available imaging methods. DESIGN: The article describes advantages and disadvantages of basic X-ray imaging and recommended skeleton screening, as the method of first choice, followed by description of the most frequently affected areas and Mirels score. The present golden standard magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, its potential and also recommended MR indications. Concerning computer tomography (CT) imaging, mainly comparison between CT and MR and X-ray imaging its indications and benefits as the interventional instrument are mentioned. The arcticle also focuses on the role of skeleton scintigraphy with Tc-pyrophosphate, which is not recommended today, and the role of positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) in the assessment of the therapy effectiveness and prognosis for patients, its future and present limitations. The next commonly used radioisotope imaging with 99Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) and its comparison to other methods, especially to the FDG-PET and recommended indications for both techniques. Last aim is description of specification of bone tissue density with Dual Energy X-ray Absorption scanning method (DEXA). CONCLUSION: These imaging methods are commonly used as additional diagnostic tests in initial diagnostic -work-up and in follow-up due to frequent relapses of multiple myeloma.

[Autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG-positive sclerosing cholangitis]. / Autoimunitní pankreatitida a IgG pozitivní sklerotizující cholangitida.

Sclerosing cholangitis is a heterogenous disease. Sclerosing cholangitis with an unknown cause is abbreviated PSC. PSC affects extra- as well as intra-hepatic bile ducts and since this is a permanently progressing fibrous condition, it leads to liver cirrhosis. The disease is often associated with a development of cholangocarcinoma and idiopathic intestinal inflammation. Causal therapy does not exist; liver transplantation is indicated. IgG4 cholangitis differs from PSC in a number of features. This form is, unlike PSC, linked to autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) as well as other IgG4 sclerosing diseases. Anatomically, distal region of ductus choledochus is most frequently involved. Icterus is, unlike in PSC, a frequent symptom of AIP. There also is a distinctive histological picture--significant lymphoplasmatic infiltration of the bile duct wall with abundance of IgG4 has been described, lymphoplasmatic infiltration with fibrosis in the periportal area and the presence of obliterating phlebitis is also typical. However, intact biliary epithelium is a typical feature. IgG4 can be diagnosed even without concurrent presence of AIP. IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is a condition sensitive to steroid therapy. At present, there is no doubt that IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is a completely different condition to primary sclerosing cholangitis. From the clinical perspective, these diseases should be differentiated in every clinician's mind as (a) AIP is treated with corticosteroids and not with an unnecessary surgery, (b) IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis is mostly successfully treated with corticosteroids and the disease is not, unlike PSC, a risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma.

[Pancreatic cancer--association with diabetes mellitus and smoking]. / Pankreatický karcinom--vztah k diabetes mellitus a kourení.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer is a disease with rather poor prognosis. This can be explained, among other reasons, by unusually aggressive course of the tumour growth and, in the majority of cases, late, and thus further treatment limiting, diagnosis. In addition, no effective screening programme for pancreatic cancer is available and thus identification of risk factors associated with the development of pancreatic cancer represents a possible approach to diagnosing early stages of the disease. Smoking represents a general and diabetes mellitus a specific risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The aim of our prospective study in pancreatic cancer patients was to identify patients with diabetes mellitus and divide these into smokers and non-smokers--in association with the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 83 patients, 50 men and 33 women, with pancreatic cancer who were divided into 3 groups--non-smokers with diabetes mellitus, smokers and smokers with diabetes mellitus; the mean age was 64.2 years in male and 59.8 years in female patients. Pancreatic cancer was confirmed histomorphologically from pancreatic biopsies or a histology of pancreatic tissue obtained during a surgery. RESULTS: Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed after 3 or more years in patients with diabetes mellitus, the majority of diagnoses in smokers were made within the first year from the first dyspeptic symptoms. We found that the proportion of patients with subsequent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer increased with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (33.3% up to 10 cigarettes per day and 66.5% over 10 cigarettes per day). The highest incidence of pancreatic cancer, in 42 persons (50.6%), was associated with concurrent diabetes and smoking. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic cancer was identified in 24% of patients with diabetes mellitus, 25.3% of smokers with no diabetes and in more than 50% of smokers with diabetes mellitus. We assume that smoking is an independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer induction and it importantly increases the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus.

[Our experience with endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts]. / Nase zkusenosti s endoskopickou drenázní lécbou pankreatických pseudocyst.

INTRODUCTION: The authors first provide and overview of the main knowledge on pancreatic pseudocysts. They discuss the individual types of pancreatic pseudocysts, their clinical picture, complications and diagnosis. As part of the differential diagnosis, they emphasise the need to distinguish pancreatic pseudocysts from cystic tumours and benign cysts. Special attention is then paid to various modalities of treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. METHODS: The authors present their own results of endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, one of the key options in the treatment of this condition. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (24 men and 9 women) were treated by endoscopic drainage between September 2007 and March 2009. Endoscopic drainage was performed transduodenally in 4 patients and via the transgastric route in 29 patients; 6 times with endosonographic device and with duodenoscope after endosonographic alignment in 27 patients. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that endoscopic drainage is an effective method of treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Autoimmune pancreatitis--recent advances.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is recognized as a distinct clinical entity, identified as a chronic inflammatory process of the pancreas in which the autoimmune mechanism is involved. Clinically and histologically, AIP has two subsets: type 1--lymphoplasmatic sclerosing pancreatitis with abundant infiltration of the pancreas and other affected organs with immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells, and type 2--duct centric fibrosis, characterized by granulocyte epithelial lesions in the pancreas without systemic involvement. In the diagnosis of AIP, two diagnostic criterions are used--the HISORt criteria and Asian Diagnostic Criteria. In the differential diagnosis, the pancreatic cancer must be excluded by endosonographically guided pancreatic biopsy. Typical signs of AIP are concomitant disorders in other organs (kidney, liver, biliary tract, salivary glands, colon, retroperitoneum, prostate). Novel clinicopathological entity was proposed as an 'IgG4-related sclerosing disease' (IgG4-RSC). Extensive IgG4-positive plasma cells and T lymphocyte infiltration is a common characteristics of this disease. Recently, IgG4-RSC syndrome was extended to a new entity, characterized by IgG4 hypergammaglobulinemia and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration, this being considered an expression of a lymphoproliferative disease, 'IgG4-positive multiorgan lymphoproliferative syndrome'. This syndrome includes Mikulicz's disease, mediastinal fibrosis, autoimmune hypophysitis, and inflammatory pseudotumor--lung, liver, breast. In the therapy of AIP, steroids constitute first-choice treatment. High response to the corticosteroid therapy is an important diagnostic criterion. In the literature, there are no case-control studies that determine if AIP predisposes to pancreatic cancer. Undoubtedly, AIP is currently a hot topic in pancreatology.

[Contribution to differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain]. / Príspevek k diferenciální diagnostice thronických brisních bolestí.

Differential diagnosis of abdominal pain is a complex area of internal medicine. The present paper discusses possible aetiology together with characterisation of some other signs, pain localisation, its propagation and diagnosis. The approach to differential diagnosis of abdominal pain must always be comprehensive and span from targeted anamnesis to physical examination of the abdomen and rational application of available, mainly imaging and endoscopic methods. Therefore, we present the most frequent aetiologies of functional and organic impairments ofthe oesophagus, intestines and pancreatic and biliary area, including possible extra-abdominal causes of abdominal pain. It is emphasised that abdominal pain should always be carefully investigated and analysed in order to prevent major mistakes and possible harm to our patients.

[Endoscopic diagnostics and management of pancreatic-biliary disorders in patients after Billroth II gastric resection]. / Endoskopická diagnostika a lécba pankreatobilárních onemocnení u pacientu po resekci zaludku podle Billrotha II.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse diagnostic and therapeutic success of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our sample of patients following Billroth II gastric resection, where, due to significantly modified anatomic ratios, this surgery represents a specific and often extremely difficult technical problem when performing ERCP. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: The sample was followed up for 13 years (November 1994-December 2007). The data on 112 patients after Billroth II gastric resection were assessed retrospectively; indications for ERCP included cholestasis in 92 patients, acute biliary pancreatitis in 12 patients, acute cholangitis in 6 patients and suspected bile leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCE) in 2 patients. RESULTS: Cannulation success during ERCP in the 112 patients following Billroth II gastric resection was 90.2% (i.e. 101 of the 112 patients). Normal ERCP finding was recorded in 4 patients. The remaining 97 patients had pathological results on ERCP (choledocholitiasis was found in 78 patients, malignant biliary stenosis in 14, benign biliary stenosis in 3 a bile leak following LCE in 2). Endoscopic treatment was initiated immediately after diagnostic ERCP in all these 97 patients, the initial step was in all cases endoscopic papillotomy using one of the special papillotomes (diathermy wire). Overall, therapeutic ERCP was completely successful in 83 of the 97 patients (85.6% of 97) in whom the originally endoscopic treatment had been initiated. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP following Billroth II gastric resection is, due to modified post-surgery anatomy, markedly more challenging then the conventional procedure. Availability of a variety of tools as well as, understandably, extensive experience and skill of an endoscopist are prerequisite to ERCP success in these patients. Correctly performed ERCP in patients following Billroth II gastric resection is a highly effective and safe method for diagnostics and, in particular, treatment of pancreatic-biliary diseases, in which similar success as under standard anatomic conditions can be achieved.

[The diurnal variability of blood pressure in patients with hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis]. / Diurnální variabilita krevního tlaku u pacientu s hypertenzí a revmatoidní artritidou.

BACKGROUND: The patients with rheumatoid arthritis have high prevalence of hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of clinical blood pressure (BP) and 24h ambulatory BP in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. Analyze the diurnal variability of BP depending on chronic treatment with prednisone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and methotrexate. GROUP OF PATIENTS: 60 patients with clinically stable rheumatoid arthritis and treated or newly diagnosed hypertension. 15 male and 45 female, mean age 58 +/- 11.3 years. RESULTS: Mean clinical systolic BP 139.0 +/- 14.7 mm Hg, diastolic BP 85.7 +/- 6.5 mm Hg and heart rate 74.9 +/- 7.3 beat.min(-1). Mean 24h systolic BP 127.7 +/- 12.6 mm Hg, diastolic BP 77.7 +/- 7.4 mm Hg and heart rate 73.9 +/- 8.7 beat.min(-1). Mean clinical pulse pressure 54.7 +/- 15.6 mm Hg, mean 24h pulse pressure 50.1 +/- 11.6 mm Hg. In the whole group of patients the number of systolic dippers was 28 (47%), nondippers 17 (28%), excesive dippers 11 (18%) and risers 4 (7%), diastolic dippers 27 (45%), nondippers 9 (15%), excesive dippers 22 (37%) and risers 2 (3%). The patients treated with prednisone and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were nondippers in 34% both for systolic BP, in 19% and 20% respectively for diastolic BP. They were excessive dippers for systolic BP in 22% and 20% respectively, for diastolic BP in 37% and 38% respectively. In the course of the treatment with methotrexate were 22% patients nondippers for systolic BP and 8% for diastolic BP, 28% was excessive dippers for systolic BP, 47% for diastolic BP. CONCLUSION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension have a slightly increased pulse pressure (55 mm Hg for clinical BP and 50 mm Hg for 24h ambulatory BP) in comparison to arbitrary limits in generally population. Patients treated with prednison and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were more often nondippers (34%) in systolic BP than hypertensive control. The patients treated with methotrexate (47%), prednisone (37%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (38%) were more often excessive dippers in diastolic BP than hypertensive control.

[Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Endoskopická diagnostika a lécba biliárních komplikací po laparoskopické cholecystektomii.

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY: The main parameters studied in this retrospective study were the success of diagnoses carried out using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the ability of ERCP to precisely determine the cause of complications and the effectiveness and morbidity of therapeutic ERCP. MATERIALS AND METHOD: the study covers a period of 7 years (January 1997-December 2003). The study retrospectively reviewed the histories of 92 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCE) and subsequently developed symptoms suggesting possible biliary complications (BC) from previous LCE, and indicating the performance of ERCP. RESULTS: diagnostic ERCP was successful for all 92 patients (i.e. in 100% of cases). In 5 patients the ERCP found normal conditions. In the remaining 87 patients, the ERCP found pathological conditions corresponding to some form of biliary complication. Choledocholithiasis was detected in 59 patients, bile leakage from the cystic duct stump was found in 11 patients, bile leakage from the extrahepatic bile duct was found in 4 patients, biliary stenosis in the common hepatic duct was found in 5 cases and 8 patients had blockages of the extrahepatic bile duct. 10 patients out of 87 received only diagnostic ERCP and all 10 underwent surgery immediately following diagnosis. 77 out of 87 patients with established BC underwent endoscopic therapy after diagnostic ERCP. Therapeutic ERCP was entirely successful for 73 patients out of 87 with BC after LCE (83.92%), and did not require other modalities of treatment such as surgical or transhepatic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample the success rate for therapeutic ERCP was 83.92%. Morbidity relating to therapeutic ERCP was 3.9%. ERCP was shown to be highly effective in both diagnosing and treating BC after LCE.

[Laparoscopically-assisted endoscopic polypectomy]. / Laparoskopicky asistovaná endoskopická polypektomie.

OBJECTIVE: Make it possible to implement safe polypectomy of polyps of the large intestine with a diameter at the base greater than 1 cm located in the intestinal lumen above the peritoneal fold. METHOD: After laparoscopy under general anaesthesia endoscopic polypectomy is performed under laparoscopic control. The large intestine is sutured to the site of the base of the removed polyp using laparoscopic technique. RESULTS: Removal of large polyps of the large bowel with a base diameter greater than 1 cm without the need of laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted polypectomy is a safe and effective method for the removal of large bowel polyps with a large base.