An endoscopic view in gastric linitis. A case report.

A case of an 84 year old woman addressed for dysphagia is discussed. The endoscopic and histologic examination revealed a gastric linitis with cardial invasion. Classically, there is no characteristic macroscopic description associated with gastric linitis. An endoscopic aspect considered highly suggestive for gastric linitis is presented.

Enteral nutrition during acute pancreatitis: feasibility study of a self-propeeling spiral distal end jejunal tube.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of enteral jejunal nutrition for acute pancreatitis using a self-propelling spiral distal end jejunal tube. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis in whom Flocare tubes were placed for enteral nutrition were included in this open prospective study. All of them had pancreatic and/or peripancreatic necrosis (Balthazar >=D). The median computed topography index was 5 (range 3-10) and the median Ranson score was 2 (range 0-5). The nasoenteric Flocare tube (spiral distal end) was inserted in the stomach at the bedside. Self progression into the jejunum was assessed by X-ray at 1, 7 and 12 hours and then every 24 hours for 4 days. The rate of successful tube self-placement in the jejunum and the time to successful placement were noted. RESULTS: Insertion was successful in 12 of 16 patients (75%). Treitz's ligament was reached in a median of 12 hours (range 1-96 hours). For the remaining patients, the tube was successfully repositioned under fluoroscopic guidance in 2 and withdrawn in 2, one for oral renutrition and one to change to a weighted jejunal tube. No tube dysfunction or recurrence of pancreatitis occurred during the entire period of enteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the nasoenteric Flocare tube can be used effectively and safely in early enteral jejunal nutrition for severe acute pancreatitis, without endoscopic or radiological manipulation.

[Portal vein thrombosis associated with factor V Leiden mutation in a woman who underwent exchange transfusion at birth]. / Thrombose de la veine porte associée au facteur V Leiden chez une femme ayant eu une exsanguino-transfusion en période néonatale.

We report the case of a 18-year-old woman with portal vein thrombosis and chronic hepatitis C virus. Portal vein thrombosis was diagnosed by chance on ultrasound examination during initial hepatitis C virus-positive patient screening. The patient interview revealed a history including exchange transfusion at birth, followed by necrotising ulcerocolitis and septicemia. The investigation of general factors favoring thrombosis showed acquired protein S deficiency and heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. This case demonstrates the value of systematic investigations for general thrombophilic factors in cases of portal vein thrombosis even when a local cause is found.

[Treatment of Crohn's disease with anti-TNF alpha antibodies (infliximab): results of a multicentric and retrospective study]. / Traitement de la maladie de Crohn par anticorps anti-TNF alpha (infliximab): résultats d'une étude multicentrique et rétrospective.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of infliximab therapy, an anti-TNF-alpha antibody, in patients with severe and refractory Crohn's disease or with fistulas, treated outside the setting of a therapeutic trial. METHODS: All Crohn's disease patients treated at the Departments of Gastroenterology of the University Hospitals of Bordeaux, Nantes, Poitiers, Rennes and Tours were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were treated with a total of 170 infusions of infliximab, 32 patients being treated for refractory Crohn's disease and 37 for fistulas. The median follow-up was 8 months (extremes 1-20). An objective response was observed in 79% of refractory Crohn's disease patients and 78% of fistulazing patients. A remission was observed in 72% and 70% of the patients respectively. Forty-five percent of patients had relapsed within 4 months (extremes 2-7). Immunosuppressive therapy was associated with a lower relapse rate (18% with versus 56% without, P=0.004). Infliximab resulted in a steroid-sparing effect in 73% of patients. Forty adverse events, none of severe grade, were observed in 22% of the patients, without any influence of steroids or immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that infliximab is very effective in steroid-dependent and fistulazing Crohn's disease. Infliximab has a steroid-sparing effect and immunosuppressive therapy is associated with a reduced relapse rate. Although the tolerance is good in the short term, long term safety remains to be established by further studies.