[Microbiological investigation of endoscopes at Brest Hospital over a period from 2007 to 2009]. / Contrôles microbiologiques des endoscopes au centre hospitalier régional de Brest du 1(er) janvier 2007 au 31 décembre 2009.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of disinfection of endoscopes at Brest hospital over a period from 2007 to 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of microbiological investigations of endoscopes done at Brest hospital from 2007 to 2009. The interpretation of the microbiological investigations is based on the recommendations of the Comité technique national des infections nosocomiales et infections liées aux soins (CTINILS) of 2007. RESULTS: Most of the controls realized over the period deal with gastroenterological endoscopes (63.4 %) and bronchial endoscopes (21.8 %). Most of the controls (66.8 %) are conformed to the target level. Only 26.7 % of the controls get the level of action. Globally, the rate of level of action significantly increases (p=0.004) from 2007 (21.2 %) to 2009 (35.6 %). This increase is relatively important in gastroenterology endoscopy (46.8 % in 2009 versus 24.1 % in 2007) whereas the rate decreases in bronchial endoscopy (14.8 % in 2009 versus 25.9 % in 2007). In gastroenterological endoscopy, rates vary with the type of endoscopes and the context of controls, but there is no significant difference between manual disinfection and automated disinfection. The most frequent germ found in gastroenterological and bronchial endoscopies is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: Our results show that it is very difficult to insure a perfect disinfection of endoscopes. Difficulties met are certainly related with the complexity of the endoscopes and of the techniques of disinfection. Infections of patients are very infrequent in endoscopy, which takes the question of the pertinence of the threshold used for microbiological investigations.

Diagnostic accuracy of esophageal capsule endoscopy versus conventional upper digestive endoscopy for suspected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: A video capsule similar to that used in small-bowel capsule endoscopy is now available for esophageal exploration. The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of upper endoscopy (esophageal gastroduodenoscopy [EGE]) with esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) in patients at risk of esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 68 patients at risk of SCC secondary to a history of head and neck neoplasia were included in this comparison of techniques for detecting SCC and dysplasia. ECE was done using the first generation Pillcam ESO and EGE was performed in accordance with the usual practice of each center, followed by examination with 2 % Lugol staining and biopsy of unstained areas (39 neoplasia comprising 5 low grade dysplasia, 8 high grade dysplasia and 26 SCC). RESULTS: Compared with EGE with and without Lugol staining, the sensitivities of ECE for neoplasia diagnosis were 46 % and 54 %, respectively. On a per-patient basis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of ECE were 63 %, 86 %, 77 % and 76 %, respectively, compared with EGE without staining, and 61 %, 86 %, 77 % and 73 % compared with EGE with iodine staining. Neither the ECE transit time nor the distance between the esopharyngeal line and the neoplastic lesion differed between the 21 false-negative and 18 true-positive cases diagnosed by ECE; the only difference was a smaller median diameter among false negatives ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a cohort at high risk for esophageal SCC, ECE is not sensitive enough to diagnose neoplastic lesions.

Esophageal capsule endoscopy vs. EGD for the evaluation of portal hypertension: a French prospective multicenter comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the standard method for the diagnosis of esophago-gastric varices. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the PillCam esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) for this indication. METHODS: Patients presenting with cirrhotic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension underwent ECEfollowed by EGD at the time of diagnosis. Capsule recordings were blindly read by two endoscopists. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (72 males, mean age: 58 years; mean Child-Pugh score: 7.2) were included. Esophageal varices were detected in 74 patients. No adverse event was observed after either EGD or ECE. Seven (6%) patients were unable to swallow the capsule. The mean recording time was 204 s (range 1-876). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of ECE for the detection of esophageal varices were 77%, 86%, 69%, and 90%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of ECE for the indication of primary prophylaxis (esophageal varices > or = grade 2 and/or red signs) were 77, 88, 90, and 75%, respectively, and 85% of the patients were adequately classified for the indication (or not) of prophylaxis. Interobserver concordance for ECE readings was 79.4% for the diagnosis of varices, 66.4% for the grading of varices, and 89.7% for the indication of prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter study confirms the safety and acceptable accuracy of ECE for the evaluation of esophageal varices. ECE might be proposed as an alternative to EGD for the screening of portal hypertension, especially in patients unable or unwilling to undergo EGD.

[Value of the study of circulating adrenergic receptors in the diagnosis and surveillance after surgery of pheochromocytoma]. / Intérêt de l'étude des récepteurs adrénergiques circulants dans le diagnostic et la surveillance après chirurgie des phéochromocytomes.

The purpose of the study was to investigate leukocyte beta adrenoceptors and platelet alpha 2 adrenoceptors in pheochromocytoma. The study concerned nine hypertensive patients, five men and four women (aged 42 +/- 8 years) with a pheochromocytoma demonstrated by high levels of urinary catecholamines and radiological data. Catecholamine plasma levels, assayed by HPLC were wide-ranging: 10.7 to 172.8 nM for noradrenaline and 0.7 to 3.9 nM for adrenaline. In each case the number of leukocyte beta adrenoceptors sites (measured with 125 I-cyanopindolol) significantly decreased: Bmax was 20.6 +/- 2.8 versus 48.5 +/- 1.5 fmol/mg protein in controls (p less than 0.05). In contrast, the number of platelet alpha 2 adrenoceptors sites (measured with 3H-yohimbine) was not modified: 206 +/- 22.6 versus 186.0 +/- 12.1 fmole/mg protein in controls. There was no change in affinity constant (Kd), neither for beta nor alpha2 adrenoceptors. After tumor removal, there was a significant increase in beta adrenoceptor number. We conclude that down regulation occurs in vivo for beta adrenoceptors but not for alpha2 adrenoceptors and that the decrease in leukocyte beta adrenoceptor number is an interesting and suitable index in the management of pheochromocytoma.

Coexistence of annular pancreas with carcinoma in the dorsal part of pancreas divisum: diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

We report on the incidental observation of a pancreas divisum coexistent with an annular pancreas in a 88-year-old woman presenting with jaundice due to a pancreatic carcinoma. This case report discusses the embryologic hypotheses underlying this peculiar association, highlights the capacities of imaging techniques to depict them, and enhances the performance of magnetic resonance imaging.