What Is the Value of the Learning Curve in Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation of the Major Papilla?

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) is an alternative for the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Existing evidence of factors associated with its outcomes is contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors (including the experience of an endoscopist) of success and adverse events in EPLBD. METHODS: We reviewed the first 200 EPLBD with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) performed at our center. Demographic, clinical, and anatomic variables were studied, as well as the performance characteristics, correlating them with individual and group experience. RESULTS: Global success was obtained in 87% of cases, and adverse events occurred in 16% of cases. Success was associated with stone size, CBD diameter, and the need to perform mechanical lithotripsy (ML). Despite that adverse events were not univariately associated with any factor, severe adverse events were more likely to occur in stones > 13.5 mm. Multivariate analysis which disclosed success was higher when ML was not required and stones were < 13.5 mm. It also showed that no factor was associated with adverse events or their severity. No differences were found on success or adverse events that could be directly related to experience. CONCLUSIONS: Success of EPLBD-EST is higher in stones < 13.5 mm and when ML is not required. Experience does not appear to play a major role.

Clinical management of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease treated with continuous intestinal infusion of levodopa/carbidopa.

Patients with Parkinson's disease often have a good initial response to dopaminergic therapy but later usually develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. In these patients, continuous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) allows for maintaining adequate dopamine levels and for improving motor and nonmotor symptoms, as well as quality of life and autonomy. Adequate candidate selection and follow-up are crucial for treatment success. Management should be multidisciplinary, and patient and caregiver education is a priority. This expert consensus document has been developed by a team of neurologists, gastroenterologists and nurses who have a vast experience in LCIG therapy, with an intention to provide knowledge and tools to facilitate patient management throughout all phases of LCIG treatment process.

[A rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction: Bouveret's syndrome]. / Una causa infrecuente de obstrucción gástrica: síndrome de Bouveret.

Bouveret's syndrome is a rare type of gallstone ileus in which a gallstone enters the intestinal tract via a cholecystoenteric fistula and is lodged in the duodenum or the stomach. Since the first description by León Bouveret in 1896, fewer than 200 cases have been described in the worldwide literature. Mortality is high, at 25%, but may be related to the advanced age of the typical patient and comorbidities, as well as diagnostic delay. Diagnosis may be made with radiological (abdominal X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) and endoscopic techniques. Endoscopy is preferred as the first therapeutic option but is frequently unsuccessful and surgery is often required. We present the case of a patient admitted to hospital with a history of vomiting after eating and epigastric pain. The management of this rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction is discussed.