Is there an advantage to be gained from adding digital image cytometry of brush cytology to a standard biopsy protocol in patients with Barrett's esophagus?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The current gold standard in Barrett's esophagus monitoring consists of four-quadrant biopsies every 1-2 cm in accordance with the Seattle protocol. Adding brush cytology processed by digital image cytometry (DICM) may further increase the detection of patients with Barrett's esophagus who are at risk of neoplasia. The aim of the present study was to assess the additional diagnostic value and accuracy of DICM when added to the standard histological analysis in a cross-sectional multicenter study of patients with Barrett's esophagus in Switzerland. METHODS: One hundred sixty-four patients with Barrett's esophagus underwent 239 endoscopies with biopsy and brush cytology. DICM was carried out on 239 cytology specimens. Measures of the test accuracy of DICM (relative risk, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios) were obtained by dichotomizing the histopathology results (high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma vs. all others) and DICM results (aneuploidy/intermediate pattern vs. diploidy). RESULTS: DICM revealed diploidy in 83% of 239 endoscopies, an intermediate pattern in 8.8%, and aneuploidy in 8.4%. An intermediate DICM result carried a relative risk (RR) of 12 and aneuploidy a RR of 27 for high-grade dysplasia/adenocarcinoma. Adding DICM to the standard biopsy protocol, a pathological cytometry result (aneuploid or intermediate) was found in 25 of 239 endoscopies (11%; 18 patients) with low-risk histology (no high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma). During follow-up of 14 of these 18 patients, histological deterioration was seen in 3 (21%). CONCLUSION: DICM from brush cytology may add important information to a standard biopsy protocol by identifying a subgroup of BE-patients with high-risk cellular abnormalities.

Lugol chromoendoscopy combined with brush cytology in patients at risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Patients with achalasia or malignancies of the head and neck are at increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The discussion of a screening and surveillance program is controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic potential of Lugol chromoendoscopy combined with brush cytology to diagnose esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade dysplasia. Secondly, the benefit of additional biomarkers was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients (21 patients with achalasia and 40 patients with malignancies of the head and neck) were included. Chromoendoscopy with 1.2% Lugol iodine solution with targeted biopsies and brush cytology processed by digital image cytometry (DICM) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) from unstained lesions (USLs) and stained mucosa were performed. RESULTS: Six of the 61 patients had USLs ≥2 cm. Four patients had high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or carcinoma in situ (CIS). One patient with HGD and one patient with CIS were detected only after Lugol chromoendoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity for detected HGD or CIS in USLs ≥2 cm were 100% and 96.5%. No dysplasia was found in USLs <2 cm. DNA ploidy by DNA cytometry and p53 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) by fluorescence in situ hybridization showed no additional impact on diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Lugol chromoendoscopy enhances the detection rate of high-risk lesions with dysplasia or carcinoma in situ in large unstained lesions. Biomarkers such as aneuploidy and p53 LOH from brush cytology were not of additional benefit in this setting.

Prospective study examining the impact of multichannel intraluminal impedance on antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Reflux monitoring using combined multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) and pH-metry increases the sensitivity for identifying gastroesophageal reflux episodes. The likelihood of a positive symptom index (SI) for patients with reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] or nonerosive reflux disease [NERD]) receiving proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment has been used to select candidates for antireflux surgery. Little is known about the advantages of MII-pH monitoring compared with pH monitoring alone for evaluating GERD/NERD patients off PPI treatment considered as candidates for antireflux surgery or for assessing changes in MII-pH-detected reflux episodes after antireflux surgery. This study aimed to determine the additional value of MII over pH-metry alone for patients off PPI treatment before and after antireflux surgery. METHODS: For this study 12 patients (4 women and 8 men; mean age, 45 years; range, 27-74 years) were evaluated using ambulatory MII-pH monitoring before and 3 months after mesh-augmented hiatoplasty. Reflux events were identified by MII-pH (A) and pH-metry (B) as patients recorded symptoms on a data logger. For each symptom, a symptom index was calculated for reflux events identified by MII-pH and by pH-monitoring alone. RESULTS: Preoperatively, MII-pH monitoring identified 71.9 +/- 8.4 reflux episodes, whereas pH monitoring identified only 51.0 +/- 7.8 (p < 0.05). Postoperatively, MII-pH monitoring identified 35.5 +/- 6.6 reflux episodes, whereas pH monitoring identified only 19.6 +/- 4.7 (p < 0.05). The pre- and postoperative symptom index for MII-pH monitoring was higher than pH monitoring (preoperative 91.7% vs 25%, p = 0.006; postoperative 50% vs 16.7%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Combined MII-pH-metry improves the pre- and postoperative assessment of GERD patients off PPI and results in a higher symptom-reflux association.

Enteric infections and diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons: prospective community-based cohort study. Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk for diarrhea and enteric infections. We studied (1) the epidemiology of enteric pathogens associated with diarrhea, (2) the diagnostic yield of stool examination and endoscopic evaluation, (3) risks to develop diarrhea, and (4) the impact of diarrhea on patients' survival. METHODS: A total of 1933 participants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study were prospectively followed up for a median of 25.5 months. A total of 560 diarrheal episodes were evaluated by standardized stool examination. Endoscopic evaluation was performed in 25% of patients with chronic diarrhea. RESULTS: The incidence of diarrhea was 14.2 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 13.0-15.4). Among patients with CD4 cell counts below 0.05 x 10(9)/L, the probability to develop diarrhea within 1, 2, and 3 years was 48.5%, 74.3%, and 95.6%, respectively. The risk to develop diarrhea was increased among patients with severe immunodeficiency, homosexual men, and patients taking antiretroviral therapy. Pneumocystis carinii chemoprophylaxis did not reduce the risk of diarrhea. Diarrhea was an independent negative predictor of survival. Enteric pathogens were detected in 16.5% of 212 acute diarrheal episodes and in 46% of 348 chronic diarrheal episodes. The sensitivity of histological and stool examination was similar except for the diagnosis of intestinal cytomegalovirus infection and leishmaniasis, which required invasive evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal infections were diagnosed in less than 50% of chronic diarrheal episodes. The prevalence of enteric pathogens tended to decrease during the observation period, possibly because of improved antiretroviral therapy. Endoscopic evaluation did not improve the diagnostic yield compared with stool examination except for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus enteritis and leishmaniasis.

Alcoholic nonprogressive chronic pancreatitis: prospective long-term study of a large cohort with alcoholic acute pancreatitis (1976-1992).

140 patients with alcoholic acute (recurrent) pancreatitis were enrolled in a prospective long-term study over the last 16 years. Regular control studies regarding progression to advanced chronic pancreatitis were performed. Based on long-term outcome the patients were classified into two groups: group A (n = 109; 77.8%) with progression to advanced chronic pancreatitis (84% with calcification, 95% with exocrine insufficiency) and group B (n = 31; 22.2%) without progression (no calcification, no exocrine insufficiency). The two groups were comparable in age, sex, and mean duration of disease from onset (13.1 +/- 5.2 vs. 13.8 +/- 4.9 years). Surgery for pseudocysts was performed in 47% of group A and in 29% of group B. In group B, no pancreatic duct dilatation occurred (in 86% > 8 years from onset). However, 4 of 7 patients with adequate histology showed unequivocal chronic pancreatitis. Surprisingly, all patients of group B except two got spontaneous lasting pain relief irrespective of alcohol intake or normal pancreatic function. Our findings indicate that a subgroup of alcoholic acute pancreatitis does not progress to advanced chronic pancreatitis. This subgroup may be identical with "small duct" chronic pancreatitis. The factors responsible for progression (group A) or nonprogression (group B) remain to be elucidated.

Esophageal carcinoma: current staging strategies.

A patient with suspected esophageal carcinoma represents a challenge to the treating physicians. Most patients present with an advanced stage of disease, and in the majority of cases only palliative treatment can be offered. Various treatment modalities are available, which are applied according to the TNM stage of the disease and the performance status of the patient. A precise histological diagnosis and highly accurate tumor staging of a patient with esophageal carcinoma is a prerequisite for the selection of the most suitable treatment option. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as the most accurate diagnostic modality for locoregional staging. Problems in identifying early tumor stages or tumor strictures can be generally overcome by using miniprobe sonography (MPS). EUS/fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) technology provides a valuable means of identifying suspicious locoregional lymph nodes. Patients with a proximal tumor (trachea bifurcation) should undergo bronchoscopy to rule out infiltration of the tracheobronchial system. Ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and possibly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the diagnostic tools of choice for extended tumor staging. After excluding extended tumor stage and severe concomitant diseases, diagnostic laparoscopy with intra-abdominal ultrasound should be performed in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus prior to esophagectomy. Intra-abdominal metastases which can be missed preoperatively in some cases have to be ruled out in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.

[High-resolution magnetic resonance tomography of the lesser pelvis using an endorectal coil]. / Hochauflösende Magnetresonanztomographie des kleinen Beckens mittels Endorektalspule.

Spatial resolution of MRI within the true pelvis can be increased by a factor of 12 using an endorectal coil. The value of this new method for demonstrating the prostate, the rectum, the cervix and vagina and of pathological processes of these organs was examined in 89 patients and the results compared with conventional body coil MRI. In 25 patients who underwent radical surgery the results of the preoperative studies were compared with the histological findings. Detailed recognition of anatomical structures was markedly improved by using the endorectal coil. Diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate and extension of the tumour was accurately assessed in 33 patients. Preoperative staging was correct in 87%, compared with 73% when using a body coil. The difference was less marked in examinations for carcinomas of the rectum, the cervix and vagina. Nevertheless, staging was more accurate in a few cases with a better recognition of recurrences. MRI with endorectal coils will have an important role in diagnosis of carcinomas of the prostate in the future. Its use in the diagnosis of carcinomas of the rectum and cervix must be subject to further studies.

[Strategy in sonographic suspicion of a parasitic disease of the liver (echinococcosis and amebic abscess)]. / Strategie bei sonographischem Verdacht auf eine Parasitose der Leber (Echinokokkose und Amöbenabszesse).

Ultrasonography is a widely used, early available and well established method in the examination of abdominal symptoms. The strategy for investigation of focal liver lesions, suspected to be parasitoses of the liver (echinococcus cysts or amebic abscess) is shown. The ultrasonographic morphology of echinococcosis and amebic abscess is characteristic, although it is imperative to distinguish these lesions from other tumorous or cystic lesions. The diagnosis suspected through case history and clinical appearance is confirmed by modern serological tests in 90 to 95% of echinococcosis and in 95 to 100% of amebiasis. Fine-needle aspiration guided by ultrasound is indicated in cases of a negative serological result in order to exclude a pyogenic abscess. This evaluation allows a fast diagnosis and efficient therapy.

[Irritable colon and constipation]. / Colon irritabile und Obstipation.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common clinical problem with a broad spectrum of severity. The management includes a combination of positive diagnosis of typical symptoms with limited investigations to exclude underlying structural or biochemical disorders. Therapeutic trials focus on the relief of predominant symptoms. Identification and modification of factors exacerbating symptoms, behavioural techniques and pharmacologic agents directed to the presumed gastrointestinal motor dysfunction are required. Psychological support by the physician is the most important part of treatment. Chronic constipation may be the predominant symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. Underlying organic disorders must be excluded by clinical examination and endoscopy. Severe chronic constipation requires further investigation of colonic motility and defecation. High fibre diet, osmotic laxatives and procinetic agents may lead to an improvement. In rare cases surgery may be indicated.

[Ultrasonically-guided sclerosing of kidney and liver cysts using polidocanol]. / Ultraschallgeführte Sklerosierung von Nieren- und Leberzysten mit Polidocanol.

First experiences are reported with percutaneous sclerosing therapy of cysts with polidocanol (aethoxysklerol 1%) using ultrasound for needle guidance. They cover two patients with symptomatic cysts of the liver and a patient with polyglobulinemia and an erythropoietin-producing renal cyst. These experiences are compared to previously reported ones.

[Abdominal pain, fresh blood in the anus]. / Abdominalschmerzen, Frischblut ab ano.

A 60-year-old lady with type II diabetes, arterial hypertension and 'melancholia' was treated with Lithium, a neuroleptic (Leponex) and an ACE inhibitor (Reniten). She was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, subfebrile temperatures, diarrhea and hematochezia. The radiological and sonographic examinations showed a thickened wall of the left hemicolon. Colonoscopy revealed a sharply delineated segment with pronounced inflammation in the descending colon and the proximal sigmoid colon, suggestive for an ischemic colitis. Histology of the inflamed colon was compatible with this diagnosis. Under suspended enteral feeding and antibiotic therapy the symptoms disappeared within two weeks, and a control colonoscopy six weeks later was completely normal. 1 1/2 years later the patient suffered from a second episode of ischemic colitis exactly a the same site. Again, complete cure was achieved by conservative treatment.

[HIV infection, fever and cholestasis]. / HIV-Infektion, Fieber und Cholestase.

A 35-year-old Swiss woman with AIDS experienced fever, jaundice and cough. Laboratory evaluation revealed signs of an infection and cholestasis. The examination by ultrasound showed thickening of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts and gallbladder wall, without dilatation or stones. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated diffuse sclerosing cholangitis like lesions in the biliary tract and confirmed the diagnosis of a HIV related cholangiopathy. The cause was a cytomegalovirus infection as shown by liver biopsy with detection of cytomegalovirus early antigen. The treatment with ganciclovir was of some efficacy with improvement of jaundice.

[Thoracic pain, shock-inducing gastrointestinal bleeding]. / Thoraxschmerzen, schockierende obere Gastrointestinalblutung.

A 65-year-old patient was referred to hospital with suspected myocardial infarction because of left-sided thoracic pain. A paresis of the left recurrent nerve of unknown etiology has been known for three years. Because of shock with anemia, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. A diverticulum-like lesion in the proximal esophagus was found to be the source of the bleeding. A contrast X-ray examination showed a cavity of approximately 2 x 2 cm originating from the proximal esophagus. Computerized tomography revealed a large mediastinal mass reaching from the thyroid to the diaphragm. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle puncture of this tumor, together with the endoscopical snare biopsies of the esophageal lesion, allowed the diagnosis of an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with erosion of the esophagus. The patient responded well to palliative radiotherapy. The defect in the proximal esophagus refilled quickly. Nine months after radiotherapy the patient is doing well.

[Fever, somnolence, vomiting, diarrhea]. / Status febrilis, Somnolenz, Erbrechen, Diarrhöe.

A 69-year-old female was admitted because of a febrile state, somnolence, nausea and diarrhea. Addison's disease known to have developed several years earlier after adrenal tuberculosis suggested Addisonian crisis triggered by an acute infection. Therapy with steroids and substitution of electrolytes and fluid led to rapid improvement. Streptococcus bovis was identified as causative agent. The known association of this germ with cancer of the colon led to further investigation which revealed cancer of the sigmoid and incidental cancer of a salpinx. After surgical removal of both cancers, the patient has remained free of complaints under substitution of steroids.

[Endosonography: progress in the diagnosis of endocrine pancreatic tumors]. / Endosonographie: ein Fortschritt in der Diagnostik endokriner Pankreastumoren.

Diagnostic procedures for secreting endocrine pancreatic tumors comprise biochemical tests, CT scans, conventional abdominal sonography, angiography and occasionally MR imaging and isotope scans. Due to their small size, insulinomas and gastrinomas, the most common of these tumors, elude these diagnostic procedures. Preoperative sonography and CT scans were negative in over 60%, angiograms in 35% of the patients. The example of a patient with insulinoma demonstrates that in the future endosonography will offer itself as an accurate method with little risk.

[An uncommon cause of iron deficiency anemia]. / Eine nicht-alltägliche Ursache der Eisenmangel-Anämie.

A 55-year-old patient was diagnosed having a malignant melanoma metastatic to the small bowel as cause of an iron deficiency anemia. Although up to 60% of patients with metastatic melanoma are found to have intestinal metastases at autopsy, clinically apparent gastrointestinal involvement is rare during lifetime and often delayed after resection of the primary tumor. Diagnostic procedures include radiological imaging and endoscopic modalities. Early diagnosis is desirable for prognostic reason both in curative and palliative settings.

[Liver failure in a 27 years old female patient]. / Leberversagen bei einer 27-jährigen Patientin.

We report about a 27-years old female patient with acute liver failure due to an acute Budd Chiari Syndrom (thrombosis of all three liver veins an vena cava inferior) with caval web, birth control pills and after long distance flight. After successfull aspiration of the caval thrombus and dilatation of caval web liver transplantation could be bypassed. Two weeks after intervention the patient was in a good healthy condition with normal laboratory values, normal liver size, normal perfusion of the V. cava inferior and signs of reperfusion of the middle liver vein.

Dual Transoral Endoscopic Resection of a Symptomatic Giant Brunneroma.

Brunneroma is a rare, benign, proliferative lesion arising from the Brunner's glands of the duodenum that exceptionally may evolve towards a malignant transformation, usually discovered incidentally at endoscopy. Occasionally, these lesions manifest as a rare cause of duodenal obstruction or upper gastrointestinal bleeding and require resection, usually for tumors larger than 4 cm. The special aspect of our case is the technically difficult but successful dual transoral endoscopic resection of a giant (6.5 × 4 × 2.4 cm) brunneroma with a very thick and long peduncle located extremely close to the pylorus, highlighting the possibilities of endosurgery. Distal stomach resection with Roux-en-Y reconstruction as an alternative would have caused higher morbidity and costs.