Achalasia in central Israel, 1973-83: clinical aspects.

In the framework of an epidemiologic study we collected data on all the 162 patients with achalasia in central Israel. The mean (+/- SD) follow-up was 9.9 +/- 8.7 years (range 1-52). At the last, as compared to the initial examination, the clinical condition of the patients had improved: 38% were without dysphagia as compared to 0% initially, 67% did not vomit and 92% did not complain of aspiration as compared to 17% and 68% initially, and 67% did not complain of chest pain as against 36% initially. In contrast, X-ray examinations, endoscopy as well as manometry did not show major changes. Esophageal retention of a semisolid radiolabeled meal 10 min after ingestion was 46 +/- 25% initially and 34 +/- 26% at last examination (NS). Medical therapy was given to 99 patients and a beneficial response was initially noted in 65% of them. About 88.7% had a beneficial response to surgery and 82.7% to pneumatic dilatations which were associated with a 7.3% perforation rate. Overall the clinical course of this unselected, regional group of patients was better than expected.

Selection of patients for treatment of duodenal ulcer infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Ninety patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer were followed for 1 year. All patients were initially treated with an H2-receptor antagonist. Those with more than two relapses within 1 year received triple therapy consisting of colloidal bismuth subcitrate, amoxicillin, and metronidazole. Results showed that 27 patients were symptom-free after one full course of H2 antagonist, 47 had one or two clinical recurrences, and 16 patients had more than two recurrences. Twelve of the latter group were Helicobacter pylori positive and were treated with triple therapy. We conclude that only a minority of duodenal ulcer patients needs to be treated with triple therapy; most of them can be treated with antisecretory agents.

Treatment of esophageal varices: low versus high dose of 5% ethanolamine oleate.

Twenty-four patients, undergoing sclerotherapy for esophageal varices, were injected with 10-20 ml of ethanolamine oleate 5% in the first treatment session (group A). Fourteen patients were injected with 40 ml of the same sclerosant in the first session (group B). Retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two doses. Variceal eradication was achieved in group B in significantly fewer sclerotherapy sessions. Rebleeding occurred in 16% of patients in group A, compared with no rebleeding in group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of various complications. We conclude that the use of 40 ml of 5% ethanolamine oleate in the first session is more effective and as safe as the use of 20 ml of the same sclerosant.

Esophageal involvement in pemphigus vulgaris: a clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic study.

Eleven newly diagnosed patients and one patient with pemphigus vulgaris who relapsed underwent endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Three patients had blisters or erosions and two had longitudinal lines of erythema in the esophageal mucosa. In four patients histopathologic examination showed findings of pemphigus vulgaris but direct immunofluorescence was positive in all patients. This study demonstrates that the immunopathologic disturbance in pemphigus vulgaris involves the entire length of the esophagus, although only some patients have clinical or histologic involvement. To the best of our knowledge this is the first histopathologic and direct immunofluorescence study of esophageal involvement in patients with untreated pemphigus vulgaris.

Ultrastructural abnormalities in endoscopically and histologically normal and involved colon in ulcerative colitis.

Twenty colonoscopies (eight complete or almost complete; 12 short) were carried out on 15 patients with ulcerative colitis with the aim of comparing the endoscopic aspects with the light and electron microscopic features in biopsies taken from multiple sites. Patients with severe attacks were examined without prior preparation (two examinations). When the attack was mild to moderate (11 examinations), or the patient was in remission (seven examinations), two saline enemas were given up to 1 h before examination. There was a favorable correlation between the endoscopic and light microscopic features in 94.7% of the biopsies (total number of biopsies, 76). The electron microscope findings greatly exceeded those observed by light microscope and indicated that the major abnormality resides within the colonic epithelial cells. Distinctive ultrastructural changes were present both in apparently uninvolved (endoscopically and histologically) parts of colon and in inactive stages of ulcerative colitis. These findings suggest that colonic mucosal involvement may be universal, persist during clinical remission, and precede the light microscopic findings. They also support the importance of maintenance therapy.

Induction of esophageal injuries by doxycycline and other pills. A frequent but preventable occurrence.

Many specialists and general physicians remain unaware of the potential for and pathogenesis of drug-induced esophageal ulcerations. To promote a greater awareness of the importance of this problem, we have reviewed the literature, particularly in regard to the mechanisms of action and the clinical and therapeutic implications of these chemical injuries to the esophagus. There can be no doubt that the frequency of occurrence of drug-induced esophageal ulceration far exceeds that reflected in the reported cases appearing in the medical literature. Nor can we deny that much of the responsibility for this situation lies in the failure of the prescribing physician to educate his patients (and himself!) in the art of taking potentially harmful pills and capsules, particularly tetracycline, doxycycline, potassium chloride, and quinidine preparations. Although most such drug injuries are self-limited events, there have been a number of fatalities reported and at the very least they involve acute discomfort.

Barrett's mucosa of distal esophagus with concomitant isolated Crohn's disease and intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Report of a case and analysis of the literature.

The presence in the esophagus of three distinct entities--Barrett's mucosa, Crohn's disease, and adenocarcinoma--is a very rare finding. In a 60-year-old man with a long history of heartburn and recently developed dysphagia, narrowing of the distal esophagus was found to be related to the presence of Barrett's mucosa. A short time later repeated endoscopy revealed adenocarcinoma in this area. The patient underwent esophagogastrectomy and died a few days after surgery. Findings in the surgical specimen and upon autopsy were consistent with isolated Crohn's disease of the distal esophagus as well as with intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Analysis of the data available in the literature reveals that Crohn's disease of the esophagus, although rare, clearly possesses some definite characteristics of its own. It is suggested that the presence of these three features in a single patient constitutes no more than a chance coexistence.