Prehospital triage of acute aortic syndrome using a machine learning algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) comprises a complex and potentially fatal group of conditions requiring emergency specialist management. The aim of this study was to build a prediction algorithm to assist prehospital triage of AAS. METHODS: Details of consecutive patients enrolled in a regional specialist aortic network were collected prospectively. Two prediction algorithms for AAS based on logistic regression and an ensemble machine learning method called SuperLearner (SL) were developed. Undertriage was defined as the proportion of patients with AAS not transported to the specialist aortic centre, and overtriage as the proportion of patients with alternative diagnoses but transported to the specialist aortic centre. RESULTS: Data for 976 hospital admissions between February 2010 and June 2017 were included; 609 (62·4 per cent) had AAS. Overtriage and undertriage rates were 52·3 and 16·1 per cent respectively. The population was divided into a training cohort (743 patients) and a validation cohort (233). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve values for the logistic regression score and the SL were 0·68 (95 per cent c.i. 0·64 to 0·72) and 0·87 (0·84 to 0·89) respectively (P < 0·001) in the training cohort, and 0·67 (0·60 to 0·74) and 0·73 (0·66 to 0·79) in the validation cohort (P = 0·038). The logistic regression score was associated with undertriage and overtriage rates of 33·7 (bootstrapped 95 per cent c.i. 29·3 to 38·3) and 7·2 (4·8 to 9·8) per cent respectively, whereas the SL yielded undertriage and overtriage rates of 1·0 (0·3 to 2·0) and 30·2 (25·8 to 34·8) per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: A machine learning prediction model performed well in discriminating AAS and could be clinically useful in prehospital triage of patients with suspected AAS.

ANTECEDENTES: Los síndromes aórticos agudos (aortic acute syndromes, AAS) constituyen un grupo complejo y potencialmente letal de entidades que requieren un tratamiento especializado en emergencias. El objetivo de este estudio fue construir un algoritmo de predicción para ayudar a la selección prehospitalaria de los AAS. MÉTODOS: Se recogieron prospectivamente una serie de pacientes consecutivos inscritos en una red regional especializada en patología aórtica. Se desarrollaron dos algoritmos de predicción para AAS basados en una regresión logística y en un método de aprendizaje automático denominado Super Learner (SL). Undertriage (infra-selección) se definió como la proporción de pacientes con AAS no transportados al centro especializado en patología aórtica y el overtriage (sobre-selección) como la proporción de pacientes con diagnósticos alternativos al AAS pero transportados al centro especializado en patología aórtica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron los datos de 976 ingresos hospitalarios entre febrero de 2010 y junio de 2017, con 609 (62,4%) AAS. Las tasas de overtriage y undertriage fueron del 52,3% y del 16,1%, respectivamente. La población se dividió en una cohorte de entrenamiento (n = 743) y en una cohorte de validación (n = 233). El área bajo la curva ROC para la puntuación de regresión logística y el SL fueron de 0,68 (0,64, 0,72) y de 0,87 (0,84, 0,89), respectivamente (P < 0,001) en la cohorte de entrenamiento, y de 0,67 (0,60, 0,74) y de 0,73 (0,66, 0,79) en la cohorte de validación (P = 0,038). La puntuación de regresión logística se asoció con tasas de undertriage y overtriage de 33,7% (i.c. del 95% bootstrapped 29,3%, 38,3%) y de 7,2% (4,8%, 9,8%), respectivamente, mientras que el SL presentó tasas de undertriage y overtriage de 1,0% (0,3%, 2,0%) y de 30,2% (25,8%, 34,8%), respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: El modelo de predicción de aprendizaje automático funcionó bien para discriminar AAS y podría ser clínicamente útil en la selección prehospitalaria de pacientes con sospecha de síndrome aórtico agudo.

Postoperative pain assessment in children: a pilot study of the usefulness of the analgesia nociception index.

BACKGROUND: The ability to perform objective pain assessment is very important in paediatric patients. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the analgesia nociception index (ANI), which is based on the heart rate variability, and objective measurements of pain intensity in young or cognitively impaired children, after surgical or imaging procedures (control group) under general anaesthesia. METHODS: On arrival in the recovery room and subsequently at 5-10 min intervals, the level of pain was rated using the FLACC pain scale (0-10). The ANI values (0-100; 0 indicating the worst pain) were recorded simultaneously. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and grey zone approach were used to evaluate the performance of the ANI to detect patients with FLACC >4. Instantaneous ANI values were compared with ANI values averaged over 256 s periods of time. RESULTS: All children in the surgical group (n=32) developed moderate-to-severe pain (FLACC >4). Children in the control group (n=30) exhibited minimal pain. Instantaneous ANI values were lower in children of the surgical group than in the control group [52 (sd16) vs 69 (16), P<0.001]. The AUC for the 256 s ANI recording period [0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.85-0.99)] was significantly higher than for instantaneous ANI (P<0.05). When measured for a period of 256 s, an ANI cut-off value of 56 (grey zone [58-60]) was most predictive of a FLACC ≥4. CONCLUSIONS: The ANI may provide an objective measurement of acute postoperative pain, which is correlated with that measured on a FLACC scale in young or cognitively impaired children.

Cerebral homeostasis and orthostatic responses in residents of the highest city in the world.

Permanent residence at high-altitude and chronic mountain sickness (CMS) may alter the cerebrovascular homeostasis and orthostatic responses. Healthy male participants living at sea-level (LL; n = 15), 3800 m (HL3800m; n = 13) and 5100 m (HL5100m; n = 17), respectively, and CMS highlanders living at 5100 m (n = 31) were recruited. Middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity (MCAv), cerebral oxygen delivery (CDO2), mean blood pressure (MAP), heart rate variability and spontaneuous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) were assessed while sitting, initial 30 s and after 3 min of standing. Cerebral autoregulation index (ARI) was estimated (ΔMCAv%baseline)/ΔMAP%baseline) in response to the orthostatic challenge. Altitude and CMS were associated with hypoxemia and elevated hemoglobin concentration. While sitting, MCAv and LFpower negatively correlated with altitude but were not affected by CMS. CDO2 remained preserved. BRS was comparable across all altitudes, but lower with CMS. Within initial 30 s of standing, altitude and CMS correlated with a lesser ΔMAP while ARI remained unaffected. After 3 min standing, MCAv, CDO2 and cBRS remained preserved across altitudes. The LF/HF ratio increased in HL5100m compared to LL and HL3800m from sitting to standing. In contrary, CMS showed blunted autonomic nervous activation in responses to standing. Despite altitude- and CMS-associated hypoxemia, erythrocytosis and impaired blood pressure regulation (CMS only), cerebral homeostasis remained overall preserved.

Early effects of acetazolamide on hemoglobin mass and plasma volume in chronic mountain sickness at 5100 m.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) syndrome, combining excessive erythrocytosis and clinical symptoms in highlanders, remains a public health concern in high-altitude areas, especially in the Andes, with limited therapeutic approaches. The objectives of this study were to assess in CMS-highlanders permanently living in La Rinconada (5100-5300 m, Peru, the highest city in the world), the early efficacy of acetazolamide (ACZ) and atorvastatin to reduce hematocrit (Hct), as well as the underlying mechanisms focusing on intravascular volumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one males (46±8 years of age) permanently living in La Rinconada for 15 [10-20] years and suffering from CMS were randomized between ACZ (250 mg once-daily; N = 13), atorvastatin (20 mg once-daily; N = 14) or placebo (N = 14) uptake in a double-blinded parallel study. Hematocrit (primary endpoint) as well as arterial blood gasses, total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and intravascular volumes were assessed at baseline and after a mean (±SD) treatment duration of 19±2 days. RESULTS: ACZ increased PaO2 by +13.4% (95% CI: 4.3 to 22.5%) and decreased Hct by -5.2% (95% CI: -8.3 to -2.2%), whereas Hct remained unchanged with placebo or atorvastatin. ACZ tended to decrease Hbmass (-2.6%, 95% CI: -5.7 to 0.5%), decreased total red blood cell volume (RBCV, -5.3%, 95% CI: -10.3 to -0.3%) and increased plasma volume (PV, +17.6%, 95% CI: 4.9 to 30.3%). Atorvastatin had no effect on intravascular volumes, while Hbmass and RBCV increased in the placebo group (+6.1%, 95% CI: 4.2 to 7.9% and +7.0%, 95%CI: 2.7 to 11.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term ACZ uptake was effective to reduce Hct in CMS-highlanders living at extreme altitude >5,000 m and was associated with both an increase in PV and a reduction in RBCV.

Post-traumatic Curvularia sp. arthritis in an immunocompetent adult.

A 44-year-old woman, victim of a road accident in Mali was diagnosed with left knee arthritis. Joint effusion aspiration and subcutaneous surgical biopsies were positive for a melanized asexual ascomycete. Using microscopy and molecular biology, the fungus was identified as Curvularia sp. In vitro antifungal susceptibility was determined by the EUCAST broth microdilution reference technique and by E-test. The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B before posaconazole relay. Mycological samples obtained 10 days after starting the antifungal therapy by liposomal amphotericin B were negative in culture. Curvularia spp. are environmental fungi which can under certain conditions be pathogenic for humans.

Major traumatic complications after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Insights from the Parisian registry.

AIM: Due to collapse and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers, major traumatic injuries may complicate the course of resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients (OHCA). Our goals were to assess the prevalence of these injuries, to describe their characteristics and to identify predictive factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational study over a 9-year period (2007-2015) in a French cardiac arrest (CA) center. All non-traumatic OHCA patients admitted alive in the ICU were studied. Major injuries identified were ranked using a functional two-level scale of severity (life-threatening or consequential) and were classified as CPR-related injuries or collapse-related injuries, depending of the predominant mechanism. Factors associated with occurrence of a CPR-related injury and ICU survival were identified using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A major traumatic injury following OHCA was observed in 91/1310 patients (6.9%, 95%CI: 5.6, 8.3%), and was classified as a life-threatening injury in 36% of cases. The traumatic injury was considered as contributing to the death in 19 (21%) cases. Injuries were related to CPR maneuvers in 65 patients (5.0%, (95%CI: 3.8, 6.1%)). In multivariable analysis, age [OR 1.02; 95%CI (1.00, 1.04); p = 0.01], male gender [OR 0.53; 95%CI (0.31, 0.91); p = 0.02] and CA occurring at home [OR 0.54; 95%CI (0.31, 0.92); p = 0.02] were significantly associated with the occurrence of a CPR-related injury. CPR-related injuries were not associated with the ICU survival [OR 0.69; 95%CI (0.36, 1.33); p = 0.27]. CONCLUSIONS: Major traumatic injuries are common after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the interest of a systematic traumatic check-up in resuscitated OHCA patients in order to detect these injuries.

Hypoxic hepatitis after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Incidence, determinants and prognosis.

AIM: Hypoxic hepatitis (HH) may complicate the course of resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU). Aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of HH, and to describe the factors associated with HH occurrence and outcome. METHODS: We conducted an observational study over a 6-year period (2009-2014) in a cardiac arrest center. All non-traumatic OHCA patients admitted in the ICU after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and who survived more than 24h were included. HH was defined as an elevation of alanine aminotransferase over 20 times the upper limit of normal during the first 72h after OHCA. Factors associated with HH and ICU mortality were picked up by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 632 OHCA patients included in the study, HH was observed in 72 patients (11.4% (95% CI: 9.0%, 14.1%)). In multivariate analysis, time from collapse to ROSC [OR 1.02 per additional minute; 95% CI (1.00, 1.04); p=0.01], male gender [OR 0.53; 95% CI (0.29, 0.95); p=0.03] and initial shockable rhythm [OR 0.35; 95% CI (0.19, 0.65); p<0.01] were associated with HH occurrence. After adjustment for confounding factors, HH was associated with ICU mortality [OR 4.39; 95% CI (1.71, 11.26); p<0.01] and this association persisted even if occurrence of a post-CA shock was considered in the statistical model [OR 3.63; 95% CI (1.39, 9.48); p=0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: HH is not a rare complication after OHCA. This complication is mainly triggered by the duration of resuscitation and is associated with increased ICU mortality.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for refractory cardiac arrest after drowning: an 11-year experience.

AIM: Neuroprotective effects of hypothermia may explain surprisingly high survival rates reported after drowning in cold water despite prolonged submersion. We described a cohort of refractory hypothermic cardiac arrests (CA) due to drowning treated by extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and aimed to identify criteria associated with 24-h survival. METHODS: Eleven-year period (2002-2012) retrospective study in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital (European Hospital Georges Pompidou, Paris, France). All consecutive hypothermic patients admitted for refractory CA after drowning in the Seine River were included. Patients with core temperature below 30°C and submersion duration of less than 1h were potentially eligible for ECLS resuscitation. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were admitted directly to the ICU during the study period. ECLS was initiated in 20 patients (47%). Among these 20 patients, only four (9%) survived more than 24h. A first hospital core temperature ≤26°C and a potassium serum level between 4.2 and 6mM at hospital admission have a sensitivity of 100% [95%CI: 28-100%] and a specificity of 100% [95%CI: 71-100%] to discriminate patients who survived more than 24h. Overall survival at ICU discharge and at 6-months was 5% [95%CI: 1-16%] (two patients). CONCLUSIONS: Despite patient hypothermia and aggressive resuscitation with ECLS, the observed survival rate is low in the present cohort. Like existing algorithms for ECLS management in avalanche victims, we recommend to use first core temperature and potassium serum level to indicate ECLS for refractory CA due to drowning.

French survey of the first three-years of liver transplantation activity from uncontrolled donors deceased after cardiac death.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the first three years of French activity related to liver transplantation from uncontrolled donation after cardiac death (uDCD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective and observational study in the three active centres authorized by the French Biomedicine Agency. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients deceased between 2010 and 2012 after an uncontrolled cardiac arrest admitted to one of three centres (Pitié-Salpêtrière, Saint-Louis or Bicêtre hospitals, AP-HP, Paris, France) and potentially eligible for liver recovery were included. Abdominal normothermic oxygenated recirculation (ANOR) was used for graft preservation. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six potential uDCD donors were identified as eligible for liver recovery after hospital admission. The main causes of organ recovery failure were technical failure related to ANOR (29 patients, 23%), refusal of consent (39 patients, 31% of potential uDCD donors and 40% of asked relatives) and abnormal hepatic transaminases up to 200 UI.L(-1) during ANOR (24 patients, 19%). Finally, 11 livers were transplanted. Process efficiency was 9% [95% CI: 4-15%]. One-year recipient survival was 82%, [95% CI: 48-98%] and one-year graft survival was 64% [95% CI: 31-89%]. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation from uDCD donors is achievable in France, despite low process efficiency.

What is the outcome of cancer patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac arrest? Results from a multicenter study.

AIM: Low survival rate was previously described after cardiac arrest in cancer patients and may challenge the appropriateness of intensive care unit (ICU) admission after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Objectives of this study were to report outcome and characteristics of cancer patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac arrest. METHODS: A retrospective chart review in seven medical ICUs in France, in 2002-2012. We studied consecutive patients with malignancies admitted after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) or in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). RESULTS: Of 133 included patients of whom 61% had solid tumors, 48 (36%) experienced OHCA and 85 (64%) IHCA. Cardiac arrest was related to the malignancy or its treatment in 47% of patients. Therapeutic hypothermia was used in 51 (41%) patients. The ICU mortality rate was 98/133 (74%). Main causes of ICU death were refractory shock or multiple organ failure (n = 64, 48%) and neurological injury (n = 27, 20%); 42 (32%) patients died in ICU after treatment-limitation decisions. Twenty-four (18%) patients were discharged alive from the hospital. Overall 6-month survival rate was 14% (18/133, 95% confidence interval, 8-21%). Survival rates at ICU discharge and after 6 months did not differ significantly across type of malignancy or between the OHCA and IHCA groups, and neither were they significantly different from those in matched controls who had cardiac arrest but no malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Even if low, the 6-month survival rate of 14% observed in cancer patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac arrest and ROSC may support the admission of these patients to the ICU and may warrant an initial full-code ICU management.

Malabsorption of vitamin B12 in pancreatic insufficiency of the adult and of the child.

Vitamin B12 can bind two carrier proteins in the digestive tract, haptocorrin (R binder) and intrinsic factor, but only its binding to intrinsic factor allows its absorption. A malabsorption of vitamin B12 is observed in about 30% of adult patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, using the Schilling test. None of the hypotheses that have tried to explain this malabsorption are entirely satisfactory. A failure to degrade haptocorrin can prevent the binding of vitamin B12 to intrinsic factor. It has also been suggested that pancreatic secretion could modify the structure of intrinsic factor, enabling the uptake of the vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex by the ileum. Other factors can also affect the binding of vitamin B12 to intrinsic factor, such as the gastric pH and bile. The Schilling test is abnormal in nearly all cases of cystic fibrosis. One explanation could be the gastric hyperacidity observed in this disease. Despite the frequency of abnormal Schilling tests, vitamin B12 deficiency is very rare in cases of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, in adults as well as in children with cystic fibrosis. The assimilation of this vitamin with a tracer included in food instead of the crystalline labeled cobalamin used in the Schilling test remains to be investigated.

Lack of effect of propranolol in the prevention of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: a randomized trial. French-Speaking Club for the Study of Portal Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Beta-blockers have been shown to reduce portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis and limit the development of portosystemic shunts in portal hypertensive animals. Thus, a randomized double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate propranolol in the prevention of the development of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis without varices or with small varices. METHODS: One hundred and two patients received long-acting propranolol (160 mg/day) and 104 patients received a placebo. At inclusion, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics or biochemical tests. At 2 years, the size of varices was estimated on video recordings. RESULTS: One-third of the patients were lost to follow-up, and 95%/97% of the remaining patients were compliant in the propranolol and placebo groups, respectively. At 2 years, the proportion of patients with large varices was 31% in the propranolol group and 14% in the placebo group (P< 0.05). Three and four patients bled in the propranolol and placebo groups, respectively, and nine and ten died, respectively. CONCLUSION: This trial suggests that propranolol administration cannot be recommended for the prevention of the development of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis; thus other studies are needed in selected subgroups of patients.

[Prospective study of the function of the anal sphincter before and after hemorrhoidectomy]. / Etude prospective de la fonction sphinctérienne anale avant et après hémorroïdectomie.

A prospective study was carried out on the anorectal function in patients with hemorrhoids (group H, n = 25) versus normal controls (group T, n = 22) and on the effect at three months of hemorrhoidectomy on sphincter function and anal continence. Hemorrhoidectomy was performed by the same surgeon using the standard Milligan Morgan procedure in all cases. All patients and controls underwent an anal manometry, a measure of the length of the anal sphincter and a saline continence test. Anal resting pressure was higher in group H as compared to group T before hemorrhoidectomy (136 +/- 32 cm H2O vs 98 +/- 19 p less than 0.001). After hemorrhoidectomy, and resting pressure was significantly lower (141 +/- 21 cm H2O vs 106 +/- 25 p less than 0.01). Anal length was similar in group H and in group T (50.2 +/- 6.6 mm vs 45 +/- 5.5 NS) but decreased significantly after hemorrhoidectomy (41.9 +/- 7.6 vs 50.3 +/- 7.3 p less than 0.01). Ultraslow waves were more often observed in patients with piles (60 p. 100 vs 9 p. 100 of normal controls). After hemorrhoidectomy ultraslow waves were less commonly encountered (25 p. 100 p less than 0.05). Anal leakage during the saline continence test was observed in 12 and 82 p. 100 of patients before and after hemorrhoidectomy, respectively (p less than 0.001). No anal leakage was observed in the control groups. After hemorrhoidectomy the mean volume of anal leakage was of 190 ml. In 35 p. 100 of the patients, anal leakage occurred before the anal infusion of 500 ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus propranolol after hemorrhage caused by rupture of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis. Results of a 4-year randomized study]. / Sclérothérapie endoscopique contre propranolol après hémorragie par rupture de varices oesophagiennes chez le cirrhotique. Résultats à 4 ans d'une étude randomisée.

Between December 1982 and April 1987, we conducted a prospective randomized trial comparing the efficiency of endoscopic sclerotherapy with oral propranolol after variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. We present our results after a median follow-up of 3 years (range = 57-231 weeks). The sclerotherapy group (S) consisted of 28 patients and the propranolol group (P), 27 patients. The two groups were similar for age, sex, etiology and severity of liver disease, and severity of hemorrhage; the only difference concerned previous hemorrhages which were significantly more numerous in the S group. Sclerotherapy was performed with polidocanol 1 p. 100. A slow-release preparation of propranolol was used; the average daily dose was 160 mg. Eighteen patients in the S group had at least one hemorrhagic recurrence as opposed to 12 in the P group. This difference was not significant nor was the difference between actuarial curves of no-rebleeding (p = 0.30). No difference was noted concerning total deaths (15 in S versus 12 in P). Cumulative survival curves showed a non-significative difference (p = 0.99) percentages of survival in S and P groups were 75.0 p. 100 and 73.6 p. 100 at 1 year, 67.9 p. 100 and 64.6 p. 100 at 2 years, and 51.1 p. 100 and 52.7 p. 100 at 3 years respectively. Stratification according to Child's group, variceal size and history of variceal hemorrhage did not modify these results. However, male patients had less hemorrhagic recurrences with propranolol than after sclerotherapy. Length of hospitalization was not different in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Evaluation of exocrine pancreatic function by the haptocorrin degradation test of the duodenal fluid collected by endoscopy]. / Evaluation de la fonction pancréatique exocrine par le test de dégradation de l'haptocorrine sur le liquide duodénal prélevé par endoscopie.

Two groups of biological methods are commonly used to evaluate the exocrine pancreatic function: tests which require tubes for the collection of duodenal juice and the tubeless tests which are indirect tests of pancreatic function. In this study we have attempted to improve a new test: the test of haptocorrin degradation (THD). This test measures the transfer of labelled cobalamin from haptocorrin to the intrinsic factor which is provoked by the degradation of the haptocorrin by proteases in the duodenal juice. We present the results of this test in 90 patients with chronic pancreatitis. THD was first assayed with basal duodenal juice collected by naso duodenal tubing during secretin cerulein stimulation. In this study the sensitivity and specificity of THD was 0.86 and 0.93, respectively. In the second part of this study we demonstrated that the means of collecting duodenal juice had no effect on the results of THD. Duodenal juice was collected during a secretin cerulein test or during a routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after pancreatic stimulation with secretin. The sensitivity and specificity of THD was 0.90 and 0.94, respectively, when duodenal juice was collected during endoscopy. THD was significantly correlated with the NBT-PABA test, steatorrhea, and with the activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the duodenal juice. In this study, NBT-PABA was less sensitive than THD for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (sensitivity was 0.70 and 0.89, respectively). The specificity of THD was estimated at 0.94. THD seemed to be a valuable adjunct to test pancreatic function. As upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually performed in patients with proved or suspected chronic pancreatitis, THD seems to have a place of choice among the other tests of pancreatic exocrine function. Further evaluation of this test by a multicentric prospective trial is now needed.

[Interobserver and intercenter agreement of gastro-esophageal endoscopic signs in cirrhosis. Results of a prospective multicenter study]. / Concordance inter-observateurs inter-centres des signes endoscopiques gastro-oesophagiens au cours de la cirrhose. Résultats d'une étude prospective multicentrique.

Because of the diagnostic and prognostic value of gastroesophageal endoscopic signs in cirrhosis, we studied their interobserver and intercenter agreement. Fifty cirrhotic patients without previous digestive bleeding were included in this study. The gastroesophageal endoscopic examinations of these patients, recorded on video tape, were independently viewed by 12 observers belonging to different hospitals. Agreement was evaluated by the kappa index (k), the values of which were given with p less than 0.001. Agreement was good for the presence (k = 0.40) or the size (k = 0.51) of esophageal varices as well as for red signs on the mucosa overlying esophageal varices, but it was poor for the color (k = 0.10) or the extent (k = 0.20) of esophageal varices. Agreement was poor for all gastric signs: fundic varices (k = 0.35), red spots (k = 0.28), associated lesions (k = 0.27), mosaic pattern (k = 0.27), gastropathy (k = 0.11). The mean diameter of esophageal varices, evaluated without any scale, varied from 3.5 +/- 1.4 to 7.5 +/- 4.0 mm between the 12 observers (p less than 0.001). Agreement was maximum for the more developed grade of a sign and minimum for the intermediate grade. The value of kappa indexes in this intercenter study was compared to that obtained in a previous study from one institution: interobserver agreement was significantly better within one center than between different centers. In conclusion, intercenter agreement is good for the size of esophageal varices and the presence of red signs, and poor for all the other signs. The millemetric measurement of esophageal varices diameter, without any scale, appears to be unreliable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Sarcoidosis during the treatment of hepatitis C by interferon-alpha and ribavirin: 2 cases]. / Sarcoïdose au cours du traitement de l'hépatite C par interféron alpha et ribavirine: deux cas.

INTRODUCTION: Interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) used to treat chronic hepatitis C can be responsible for some side effects. We report two cases of sarcoidosis which appeared in patients treated with IFN alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. EXEGESIS: A first patient, treated for 5 months with IFN alpha and ribavirin because of chronic hepatitis C, after the failure of a first treatment with IFN alpha alone, was hospitalized for dyspnea. The chest X-ray and scanner revealed an interstitial syndrome and mediastinal adenopathies. Biopsies of bronchial spurs revealed epithelioid and giganto-cellular granuloma. After discontinuation of antiviral treatment and starting corticosteroid therapy, the evolution was favourable but viremia reappeared. A second patient with IFN alpha and ribavirin for 4 months because of chronic hepatitis C (after the failure of a first treatment with IFN alpha alone) was hospitalized for fever, arthralgias, erythema nodosa and modification of previous skin scars. The biopsy of a scar showed an epithelioid and giganto-cellular granuloma. After discontinuation of antiviral therapy and starting corticosteroid treatment, the evolution was favourable. CONCLUSION: Some publications mention occurrence of sarcoidosis during IFN alpha therapy, occasionally associated with ribavirin, disappearing after discontinuation of the treatment, though sometimes corticotherapy is necessary. The roles of IFN alpha and ribavirin are discussed.

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy]. / Gastrostomie percutanée endoscopique.

Gastrostomy by endoscopy is a simple and fast procedure which does not require general anaesthesia. Its morbidity and mortality rates are low. With the initial technique, the gastrostomy tube was pulled in by a thread introduced percutaneously into the stomach. In cases with oesophageal stenosis, using a Foley balloon catheter is useful. Gastrostomy can be transformed into jejunostomy by a similar method. The main indications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are cancer of the upper respiratory or digestive tract, notably those complicated by fistulae, and disorders of deglutition due to abnormal buccal and pharyngeal stages.