Use of self-expanding metal stents for difficult variceal bleed.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients with variceal band ligation (VBL)-induced ulcer bleeding and those with persisting bleeding in spite of VBL carry a high mortality. Balloon tamponade and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt have limitations in terms of complications, cost, and availability. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Sx-Ella Danis stent in persistent or complicated variceal bleeding. METHODS: Twelve patients with either persistent variceal bleeding or VBL-induced ulcer bleeding were treated with the placement of Sx-Ella Danis stents. The patients were followed up for mortality, complications, and efficacy to control bleeding. RESULTS: Stents were inserted successfully in all 12 patients (with immediate hemostasis). There was an immediate cessation of bleeding in all 12 patients with no stent-related complication. Five out of 12 patients died during 30 days post-procedure due to worsening encephalopathy or sepsis. Enteral feeding could be started in all 12 patients 6 h after stent placement. One patient had bleeding 10 days after stent removal and was re-stented but expired 7 days later. Stents were removed in eight patients at a mean duration of 17.5 days. (range 7 to 30 days). CONCLUSIONS: Sx-Ella Danis stent is a useful modality to control persistent variceal bleeding as well VBL-related ulcer bleeding.

Diagnosis of acute severe colitis.

It is important to assess the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC) in order to decide the intensity of treatment and predict outcome. The criteria instituted by Truelove and Witts almost 60 years back are still being used. However, they lack a scoring system and offer no clear definition for the moderate group. The criteria with scoring system and endoscopic criteria (Mayo Score) seems to be more useful clinically. Endoscopic assessment is very important and a cautious attempt should always be made even if it enables a limited colonoscopic examination. Proctosigmoidoscopy is advocated at initial stages and after 5 to 7 days. The criteria for severity in general are same for pan-colitis and limited disease.

Dealing with congenital hepatic fibrosis? Remember COACH syndrome.

Coach Syndrome is a rare cause of Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis associated with neurological features. COACH is a mnemonic comprising of Cerebellar vermis hypo/aplasia, Oligophrenia (developmental delay/mental retardation), Ataxia, Coloboma and Hepatic fibrosis. Here we describe a 12 years boy who presented with hepatic encephalopathy. He was subsequently found to have marked developmental delay, bilateral ptosis and ataxia. CT scan revealed brain stem molar tooth sign, ophthalmoscopy showed optic disc coloboma and elastography showed hepatic fibrosis to confirm him as a case of COACH Syndrome.

Diagnostic value of ileoscopy: a report from India.

Our aim was to present a report about the usefulness of ileoscopy as an adjunct to colonoscopy, as studied in India, in the face of a dearth of such reports from the developing countries and to study the role of ileoscopy in increasing the yield of diagnosis reached and modified. In a prospective study in 66 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy for various indications, colonoscopy/ileoscopy was performed with a forward viewing fiberoptic colonoscope. Details of ileal mucosa, time taken to reach ileum, and length of ileum intubated were noted. Of the 66 patients undergoing colonoscopy, cecum could be reached in 62, whereas ileum was successfully intubated in 57 (86.4%). In 13 (22.5%) cases, additional information was obtained. In eight (14.4%) cases, diagnosis was established on ileoscopy. Of these, two were of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (typhoid ulcer and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug ulcer), one had lymphoma, two had tuberculosis, and three were cases of reactive arthritis with ulcers in terminal ileum. After ileoscopy, the diagnosis was altered in five (8.7%) cases. Time taken to reach ileum from cecum was 3.3 +/- 2.5 minutes and the length of examined ileum was 17.3 +/- 7.5 cm. Ileoscopy is a useful adjunct to colonoscopy that not only helps to modify the diagnosis but also established them.

Pregnancy and its outcome in patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension.

There is paucity of data in the literature on the occurrence of pregnancy and its outcome in patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The present study was undertaken to assess the fertility pattern, fetal loss, and consequences of variceal bleeding during pregnancy in these patients. Fifty-five women of child-bearing age with a diagnosis of noncirrhotic portal hypertension (including 32 with noncirrhotic portal fibrosis and 23 with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction) and 44 age-matched controls were studied. A detailed history of obstetric events and bleeding episodes was recorded in all patients. Any complication of portal hypertension was managed accordingly. Patients were classified into three groups for analysis: group 1-obstetric events after the diagnosis of portal hypertension in patients; group II-obstetric events before the diagnosis of portal hypertension in patients; and group III-obstetric events in controls. A total of 116 pregnancies took place in 44 patients. Of these, 36 occurred after and 80 before the diagnosis of portal hypertension was made. In the 44 controls, 118 pregnancies took place. The mean fertility rates of groups I, II and III were 0.20+/-0.24, 0.18+/-0.21, and 0.22+/-0.12 pregnancies per year, respectively, which were not statistically different (P>0.05). The numbers of fetal losses in groups I, II and III were 3/36 (8.3%), 6/80 (7.5%), and 12/118 (10.17%) pregnancies, respectively. Menstrual irregularities were found in 7/55 (12.72%) patients and 6/44 (13.6%) controls (P>0.05). Five episodes of variceal bleeding occurred in 36 pregnancies after the diagnosis of portal hypertension (13.88%). All five were successfully managed with endoscopic sclerotherapy. In conclusion, noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients have normal fertility and outcome of pregnancy. Variceal bleeding episodes are not common and endoscopic sclerotherapy is safe and effective in pregnancy.

Metal endoprosthesis for carcinoma esophagus complicating achalasia cardia.

A self-expanding metallic esophageal prosthesis was placed in a patient with carcinoma esophagus complicating achalasia cardia. Dysphagia was successfully palliated at 9 months follow up.

Pedunculated large leiomyoma of esophagus.

We report a patient with pedunculated esophageal leiomyoma which was 20 cm in length. Barium swallow had shown a grossly dilated esophagus with filling defect along its whole length, giving an appearance suggesting achalasia and retained food. The patient is doing well after transhiatal esophagectomy.

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma--disease spectrum and management: a 15-year review from north India.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze retrospectively the disease spectrum and outcome of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma (PGIL) in a tertiary referral center in north India. MATERIAL: Seventy five patients presenting with PGIL between January 1971 and December 1985 were evaluated. RESULTS: The 49 males and 26 females were aged 3.5-69 years (mean 34) at presentation. Abdominal pain, weight loss and vomiting were cardinal symptoms at presentation; the stomach was the most common site of involvement. Histologically, a majority of patients were classified as having diffuse poorly-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (46.7%) and diffuse histiocytic type (30.7%). Twenty seven (36%) patients had stage I disease, 31 (40%) stage II, 11 (14.7%) stage III, and 6 (8%) stage IV. At laparotomy, primary resection and anastomosis was carried out in 66 patients, while only biopsies were taken in nine. Forty eight patients received adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy. The mean follow-up was 3.9 years (range 1-14). The 5-year actuarial survival was 34%, 25% and 16% for stages I, II, and higher-stage disease, respectively. The survival was significantly better (p < 0.01) for gastric location (44%) compared to other sites (24%). CONCLUSION: PGIL was more common in the 3rd and 4th decades of life, with the stomach being the predominant site of involvement. Survival was better among patients with stages I and II disease, and gastric location of lesion.

Sclerotherapy in noncirrhotic portal fibrosis.

Endoscopic sclerotherapy has emerged as an effective and safe mode of treatment for long-term management of esophageal varices due to cirrhosis of liver and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. There are few studies that have evaluated the role of sclerotherapy in the management of esophageal varices in patients with noncirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF). We report our results of long-term sclerotherapy in patients with NCPF. Seventy-two consecutive patients (men 29, women 43; age 32.9 +/- 11.8 years) with recurrent variceal bleeding due to NCPF were entered into the sclerotherapy program. Forty-eight patients received intravariceal absolute alcohol and 24 patients received intravariceal sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STD). Variceal obliteration was achieved in 65 (90.3%) patients with a mean of 5.7 +/- 3.0 (range 1-14) sessions. These patients were followed-up for a mean of 21.4 +/- 20.4 (range 1-96) months. Thirteen (17.3%) patients had episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding during sclerotherapy. Rebleed after obliteration was seen in 6 (9.2%) patients. Sclerotherapy was associated with a significant reduction in bleeding rate (bleeds per month per patient) during sclerotherapy and after obliteration of varices as compared to presclerotherapy period (P < 0.000001 for both). Recurrence of esophageal varices after obliteration was seen in 9 (13.9%) patients with reobliteration of varices in five patients in whom sclerotherapy was attempted. Complications including esophageal ulcer and stricture formation were seen in 18 (25%) and 4 (5.6%) patients respectively; strictures were restricted to patients who received absolute alcohol. Two (2.77%) patients died of massive upper gastrointestinal bleed during follow-up. We conclude that sclerotherapy is an effective and safe modality in the prevention of variceal bleeds in patients with NCPF.

Transcriptional expression of gastrin mRNA in Helicobacter pylori infected patients.

In order to study the association between gastrin and H. pylori infection the density of antral G cells was evaluated by transcriptional expression of gastrin mRNA using a sensitive cold probe labelled with digoxigenin. the study group included 22 patients with symptomatic H. pylori positive gastritis and/or duodenal ulcer, 12 of whom were re-evaluated after eradication of H. pylori and 6 controls. The number of G cells per high power field in H.pylori positive patients (26.68 +/- 9.51) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to controls (5.83 +/- 3.37). Among the 12 patients re-evaluated after H. pylori eradication, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the number of G cells (13.5 +/- 5.44) compared to pre-eradication value (26.25 +/- 8.0). The present study suggests that increased transcriptional expression of gastrin is directly related to H. pylori infection.

Transhiatal oesophagectomy for benign obstructive conditions of the oesophagus.

BACKGROUND: Transhiatal oesophagectomy is an accepted approach for the treatment of carcinoma of the oesophagus. However, experience of this technique in benign diseases is limited. METHODS: Transhiatal oesophagectomy was done in 29 patients for benign oesophageal conditions including corrosive stricture (21), achalasia of the cardia (four), tuberculosis (one), mediastinal fibrosis (one), Crohn's disease (one) and peptic stricture (one). Dysphagia was the predominant symptom in all patients; strictures had all previously been dilated repeatedly. The stomach was used as an oesophageal substitute in 24 patients; in five with a scarred stomach due to damage by a corrosive agent, oesophagocoloplasty was performed. Resection and reconstruction were done in one stage in 25 patients; four with poor nutritional status had a two-stage procedure. RESULTS: There was no perioperative death. Complications encountered were recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (six patients) which was mostly transient, anastomotic leak (seven) and stenosis (eight). Postoperative function of the intrathoracic stomach was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Transhiatal oesophagectomy is a safe and satisfactory procedure for benign obstructive conditions of the oesophagus.

Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage in the management of acute cholangitis: an experience in 143 patients.

Acute cholangitis is associated with a high mortality and morbidity and often requires drainage of the obstructed biliary system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage in the treatment and prevention of acute cholangitis due to diverse etiology. During a 32-month period, 143 patients (67 males, 76 females) with age range of 15 to 84 years underwent urgent fluoroscopy guided endoscopic nasobiliary drainage using a 7 Fr catheter either to treat acute cholangitis not responding to antibiotics (group A, n = 116) or to prevent its development following endoscopic retrograde cholangiography performed in an obstructed biliary system (group B, n = 27). Underlying etiology included bile duct stones (92), malignant biliary obstruction (34), choledochal cyst (4), chronic pancreatitis (4), ruptured hydatid cyst (3), portal hypertensive cholangiopathy (3) and liver abscess (3). Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was performed successfully in 129 patients (90.2%). Cholangitis improved within 1 to 3 days (in group A) or did not develop (in Group B) in 125 patients (96.7%) with successful endoscopic nasobiliary drainage. Two patients however required additional drainage by percutaneous transhepatic route, while two died inspite of effective endoscopic drainage. Of the 14 patients (9.8%) with failed endoscopic drainage, 9 were managed by surgical decompression or percutaneous transhepatic drainage, 3 died of septicemia. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage is a safe and effective method to treat patients with acute cholangitis as well as to prevent its development following cholangiography performed in an obstructed biliary system.

Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and nasobiliary drainage in the management of postoperative biliary leak.

In order to assess the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in evaluating the patients with post-operative biliary leak and of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage in its management, 36 patients with biliary leak seen over a period of 9 years were studied. Thirty-two had biliary leak following cholecystectomy, 3 following repair of liver trauma and 1 following choledochoduodenostomy. Patients presented at an interval of 4 days to 210 days (mean +/- SEM, 32.4 +/- 6.7 days) following laparotomy. Hyperbilirubinemia was noticed in only 13 patients (36.1%), while abdominal ultrasonogram showed ascites or biloma in 24 (66.7%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed the leak to involve the common bile duct in 55.6%, cystic duct in 33.3% and intrahepatic biliary radicles in 8.3%. Associated lesions included bile duct obstruction due to stricture or accidental ligature in 20%, bile duct stone in 20% and liver abscess in 2.8%.Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage using a 7 Fr pig-tail catheter was attempted in 14 patients and could be established in 12 of them. Bile duct leak sealed in all but one of these 12 patients after an interval of 3 days to 40 days (mean +/- SEM, 12.2 +/- 3.2 days). A single patient with large defect and a proximal bile duct stricture did not respond and required surgery. Common bile duct stones were removed by endoscopic sphincterotomy in 3 out of 4 patients. One patient with large stone required surgical choledocholithotomy. In conclusion, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was safe and useful in confirming the presence of leak as well as its site, size and associated abnormalities. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage proved an effective therapy in post-operative biliary leak and could avoid re-exploration in 71.4% patients.

Normal pancreatic duct morphology in a north Indian population.

Ninety three normal pancreatograms from a North Indian population were studied. The pancreatic duct (PD) was L-shaped in 47%, oblique in 5% and sigmoid in 11%. The mean length (SD) of PD was 18.2 (3.0) cm, being longer in males but not varying with age. The mean maximum diameters of PD in head, body and tail were 3.7 (0.8), 2.7 (0.6) and 1.7 (0.4) mm respectively. These did not vary with sex. The PD diameters showed a statistically significant increase with age but this variation does not appear to be of much practical importance.