Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stomach: A Case Report.

Gastric squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare and puzzling entity that challenges conventional paradigms of gastric malignancies, especially in young adults. This case report presents a 22-year-old male with invasive SCC of the stomach, emphasizing the rarity of such occurrences and their diagnostic challenges. The literature review underscores the scarcity of information on gastric SCC, necessitating a critical examination of its clinical implications, etiological factors, and optimal management. The patient's complex medical history, diagnostic journey, and treatment course are detailed, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced diagnostic techniques. Immunohistochemistry is a crucial tool for precise tumor characterization, and the absence of established risk factors emphasizes the enigmatic nature of gastric SCC. This case report contributes to the understanding of gastric SCC, prompting further research into its unique features, etiology, and therapeutic strategies in the context of gastric cancer.

Instant messenger smartphone application for endosonographer/cytopathologist real-time interaction at a distance in EUS-FNA for solid pancreatic lesions.

Background and study aims Telecytopathology (TCP) may allow proper and timely evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of TC through a multiplatform instant messenger smartphone application to evaluate specimens of EUS-FNA of pancreatic solid lesions. Patients and methods Twenty-three patients (14 male/9 female; median age: 56 yr.; age range: 33 - 86) with a solid pancreatic lesion were included. Exclusion criteria were as follows: age < 18 yr and predominantly cystic lesions. During each EUS-FNA, after each pass, the aspirated material was spread over a glass slide and was stained by the endoscopist. The glass slide was then reviewed on a microscope with a smartphone fitted in, and the most representative fields were captured and sent to the cytopathologist using WhatsApp Messenger. Results In initial evaluation using TCP rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), adequate cellularity of the glass slide was detected in 16 of 23 patients (69.6 %). An initial diagnosis of malignancy (positive or suspicious) was possible in 14 of 23 patients (60.8 %). Conclusion The current study demonstrated the feasibility of a low-cost, Internet-based, telecytopathology system using WhatsApp Messenger to provide ROSE of EUS-FNA slides in patients with solid pancreatic lesions.

High rate of clinical and endoscopic relapse after healing of erosive peptic esophagitis in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to estimate the rate of clinical and endoscopic relapse after initial treatment of erosive peptic esophagitis in children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 24 patients (2.1-16.4 years old, mean ± standard deviation [SD] 9.9 ± 3.1; male:female 3) with healed endoscopic erosive esophagitis and without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-predisposing conditions were followed up for 4 to 32.9 months (mean 20.8 ± 10.6 years). Structured clinical evaluation was performed every other week during the initial treatment and maintenance, and every 3 months after that. Whenever a clinical relapse happened, a new endoscopic evaluation was performed. Severity and frequency were scored on 10-point and 6-point semiquantitative scales, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, epigastric pain was the most reported symptom (70.8%), with intensity scored as >5 in 88.3% of patients, and median frequency of 3 (weekly; daily in 5, 20.8%). Clinical relapse was detected in 20 of 24 (83.3%) patients after a median period of 14.65 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7-25.7 months). Endoscopic relapse was observed in 9 of 20 (45%) patients after a median of 25.7 months. The dose of lansoprazole needed to heal the esophagitis was not significantly associated with the risk for clinical relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 0.94, 7.72, P = 0.06), whereas the body mass index (BMI) was directly associated with endoscopic relapse (HR 1.3, 1, 1.69, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with healed erosive esophagitis have up to 83% clinical relapse and of the 83%, 45% had endoscopic relapse. Correlation of endoscopic relapse with clinical symptom is poor. Higher grades of esophagitis and higher BMI are risk factors for endoscopic relapse.

Children with cystic fibrosis have prolonged chemical clearance of acid reflux compared to symptomatic children without cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies compare gastroesophageal reflux (GER) parameters of cystic fibrosis (CF) children and symptomatic non-CF children. We aimed to compare the impedance-pH (IMP-pH) parameters for these two groups and to test the hypothesis that prolonged acid exposure in CF patients is due to delayed chemical clearance (CC). METHODS: IMP-pH tracings from 16 CF children (median 8.2 years) and 16 symptomatic non-CF children (median 8.3 years) were analyzed. Software was used to generate IMP-pH reports and parameter data were extracted. IMP-pH was used to calculate the mean CC for each patient. RESULTS: pH studies showed no difference in acid GER (AGER) frequency (p = 0.587); however, mean AGER duration, duration of longest AGER, AGER index, and DeMeester scores were all significantly higher for CF patients. IMP showed no difference in GER frequency [neither acidic (p = 0.918) nor non-acidic (p = 0.277)], but total bolus clearance was more efficient in CF patients (p = 0.049). A larger percentage of total GER reached the proximal esophagus in non-CF children (p = 0.039). Analyses of two-phase AGER episodes showed that these events were more acidic (p = 0.003) and the CC phase was significantly prolonged in the CF cohort (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to symptomatic non-CF children, CF children do not have more frequent reflux. Actually, they have better bolus clearance efficiency following reflux and may even have better control over the number of GER episodes that reach the proximal esophagus. CC of AGER, however, is significantly prolonged in the CF cohort, likely due to hyperacidity of refluxed gastric contents.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by means of reduced-dose ¹³C-urea breath test and early sampling of exhaled breath.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of reduced-dose ¹³C-urea breath test (¹³C-UBT) and early sampling of exhaled breath for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents. METHODS: Patients up to 20 years old that underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric biopsies were included. The ¹³C-UBT was performed after a 4-hour fasting period with 4 points of collection: baseline (T0), and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes (T10, T20, and T30) after ingestion of 25 mg ¹³C-urea diluted in 100 mL of apple juice. The infection status was defined through 3 invasive methods, and a patient was considered infected with a positive culture or concomitant positive histology and rapid urease test. The absence of infection was defined by all negative histology, rapid urease test, and culture. Analysis of exhaled breath samples was performed with an isotope-selective infrared spectrometer. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was done to define cutoff delta over baseline (DOB) values. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients between the ages of 2.1 and 19 years (median 11.6 years; mean age ± standard deviation 11.5 ± 3.8 years; F:M 85:44) were included. The prevalence of infection was 41.1%. The sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp) were at T10 (cutoff DOB 2.55‰), S 94.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.9-98.5) and Sp 96.8% (95% CI 93.4-100); at T20 (DOB 2.5‰), S 96.2% (95% CI 92.9-99.5) and Sp 96.1% (95% CI 93.7-99.8); and at T30 (DOB 1.6‰), S 96.2% (95% CI 92.9-99.5) and Sp 94.7% (95% CI 90.8-98.6). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose ¹³C-UBT with early sampling is accurate for diagnosing H pylori infection in children and adolescents.

Ten-year experience using antegrade enemas in children.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a single-center, 10-year experience with the use of antegrade enemas. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 99 patients treated with antegrade enemas at Nationwide Children's Hospital. RESULTS: Study subjects (median age 8 years) were followed for a mean time of 46 months (range 2-125 months) after cecostomy placement. Seventy-one patients had the cecostomy placed percutaneously and 28 by surgery. Thirty-five patients had functional constipation and 64 patients an organic disease (spinal abnormalities, cerebral palsy, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung's disease). While using antegrade enemas, 71% became symptom-free, in 20 subjects symptoms improved, in 2 subjects symptoms did not change, and in 7 subjects symptoms worsened. Poor outcome was associated with surgical placement of the cecostomy (P < .001), younger age (P = .02), shorter duration of symptoms (P = .01), history of Hirschsprung's disease (P = .05), cerebral palsy (P = .03), previous abdominal surgery (P = .001), and abnormal colonic manometry (P = .004). In 88%, successful irrigation solution included use of a stimulant laxative, and subjects who used a stimulant did significantly better (P < .001) than subjects who started without a stimulant. In 13 patients, the cecostomy was removed 49.7 months after placement without recurrence of symptoms. Major complications occurred in 12 patients and minor complications in 47. CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade enemas represent a successful and relatively safe therapeutic option in children with severe defecatory disorders. Prognostic factors are identified.

Evaluation of gastric histology in children and adolescents with Helicobacter pylori gastritis using the Update Sydney System / Avaliação da histologia gástrica em crianças e adolescentes com gastrite por Helicobacter pylori usando o Sistema de Sydney Atualizado

Context: Although Helicobacter pylori infection is prevalent in our country, there are few studies evaluating the associated histological abnormalities in children. Objective: To evaluate the histological features of the gastric mucosa in children and adolescents with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Methods: One hundred and thirty two gastric biopsies from 22 symptomatic patients infected with H. pylori (14F/8M, median age 10 y 5 mo, age range 2 y 11 mo to 16 y 9 mo) were evaluated. Evaluated gastric regions included: antrum (lesser and greater curvature), corpus (lesser and greater curvature), incisura angularis and fundus. Histological examination was performed according to the Updated Sydney System, and regional scores for polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrate as well as bacterial density were generated. Results: Fifteen (68.2 percent) patients presented H. pylori-chronic active gastritis, six (27.3 percent) presented antrum-predominant H. pylori-chronic active gastritis, and one (4.5 percent) presented corpus-predominant H. pylori-chronic active gastritis. Polymorphonuclear cell infiltrate and mononuclear cell infiltrate were observed in 93.9 percent and 98.5 percent of the biopsy specimens, respectively. Higher histological scores for polymorphonuclear infiltrate, mononuclear infiltrate, and bacterial density were observed in the gastric antrum. Intestinal metaplasia and gastric atrophy were not identified in any patient. Lymphoid aggregates and lymphoid follicles were observed in the gastric antrum of three (13.6 percent) and seven (31.8 percent) patients, respectively, but they were not related to antral nodularity. Conclusions: Chronic active gastritis was observed in all patients with H. pylori infection. However, antral or corporeal predominance was not observed in most patients.

Contexto: Embora a infecção por Helicobacter pylori seja prevalente em nosso país, há poucos estudos avaliando a histologia gástrica de crianças infectadas. Objetivo: Avaliar as características histológicas da mucosa gástrica de crianças e adolescentes com gastrite por H. pylori. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 132 biopsias gástricas de 22 pacientes sintomáticos infectados por H. pylori (14F/8M, idade mediana 10 anos e 5 meses, variação: 2a 11m a 16a 9m). As regiões gástricas avaliadas foram: antro (pequena e grande curvatura), corpo (pequena e grande curvatura), incisura angular e fundo. A avaliação histológica foi feita de acordo com o Sistema Sydney Atualizado. Foram gerados escores regionais do infiltrado de células polimorfonucleares, de células mononucleares e de densidade bacteriana. Resultados: Quinze (68,2 por cento) pacientes apresentaram gastrite crônica ativa associada a H. pylori, seis (27,3 por cento) apresentaram gastrite crônica ativa com predominância antral associada a H. pylori, e um (4,5 por cento), gastrite crônica ativa com predominância corpórea associada a H. pylori. Infiltrado de células polimorfonucleares e de mononucleares foram observados em, respectivamente 93,9 por cento e 98,5 por cento dos fragmentos de biopsia. Maior escore histológico de infiltrado de células polimorfonucleares, mononucleares e de densidade bacteriana foi observado no antro gástrico. Metaplasia intestinal e atrofia gástrica não foram observadas em nenhum paciente. Agregados linfóides e folículos linfóides foram observados no antro gástrico de três (13,6 por cento) e sete (31,8 por cento) pacientes, respectivamente, mas não foram associados à ocorrência de nodularidade antral. Conclusão: Gastrite crônica ativa foi observada em todos os pacientes com infecção por H. pylori. Na maioria dos pacientes não houve predominância antral ou corpórea da gastrite.

[Bowel preparation for colonoscopy with sodium picosulphate and magnesium citrate in children and adolescents]. / Preparo intestinal para colonoscopia com picossulfato sódico e citrato de magnésio em crianças e adolescentes.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of colonoscopic examination depends directly on bowel cleansing preparation. There are few studies in the medical literature about bowel preparation in children. AIM: To determinate the efficacy of picosulphate sodium with magnesium citrate as a bowel preparation in children and adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open prospective and consecutive trial, we included all children above 1 year of age submitted to colonoscopy for different indications. All patients received the drug the day before the procedure and was allowed no solid food but a liberal intake of clear fluids. The adequacy of the preparation was graded as follows: gI--excellent, gII--good, gIII--fair and gIV--poor. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included. The age ranged from 12 months to 16.1 years (median = 6.6y), 54.3% were males. Bowel preparation was made according to instructions in 37/46 (80.4%) of patients, 9 patients did not adhere to diet of clear liquids and 22/46 (47.8%) had side effects. The adequacy of the bowel preparation was: gI in 41.3%, gII in 52.2%, gIII in 6.5% and none in gIV. CONCLUSION: Bowel preparation with picosulphate sodium and clear fluids provides an effective, practical method of preparing the bowel for colonoscopy in children and adolescents and could be recommended.

[Clinical and histological features of duodenal ulcer in children and adolescents]. / Aspectos clínicos e histológicos da úlcera duodenal em crianças e adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and histological features of duodenal ulcer in children and adolescents. METHODS: Forty-three children with duodenal ulcer were prospectively and consecutively evaluated in a 6-year period (7.2 patients per year). Evaluation included clinical questionnaire focused on dyspeptic symptoms, physical examination, and digestive endoscopy with gastric biopsies for histological examination and Helicobacter pylori detection. RESULTS: Diagnostic age ranged from 4 years and 8 months to 17 years and 4 months (mean age: 12 years and 4 months). Abdominal pain was the main symptom (39/43, 90.7%), which was epigastric in 31/39, periumbilical in 7/39, and nocturnal in 27/39. Other symptoms were loss of appetite (32/43, 74.4%), vomiting (30/43, 69.8%), postprandial fullness (23/43, 53.5%), weight loss (22/43, 51.2%), and abdominal tenderness (19/43, 44.2%). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 19/43 (44.2%), whereas anemia occurred in (21/43, 48.8%). Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 41/43 (95.3%). All infected patients presented acute chronic gastritis in antrum, with lymphomononuclear infiltrate predominance in 92% of them. Eradication of the bacterium occurred in 68.3%. Ulcer healing occurred in all eradicated patients and in 89% of non-eradicated patients. CONCLUSION: Duodenal ulcer was associated with chronic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori in the majority of patients. Many complications occurred, especially upper digestive bleeding.

Aspectos clínicos e histológicos da úlcera duodenal em crianças e adolescentes / Clinical and histological features of duodenal ulcer in children and adolescents

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características clínicas e histológicas de crianças e adolescentes com úlcera duodenal. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas prospectiva e consecutivamente 43 pacientes com úlcera duodenal ao longo de 6 anos (7,2 pacientes por ano). A avaliação consistiu de questionário clínico de sintomas dispépticos, exame físico e endoscopia digestiva com biópsias gástricas para exame histológico e detecção do Helicobacter pylori. RESULTADOS: A idade no diagnóstico variou de 4 anos e 8 meses a 17 anos e 4 meses (mediana = 12 anos e 4 meses). O sintoma mais freqüente foi dor abdominal (39/43, 90,7 por cento): no epigástrio em 31/39, periumbilical em 7/39 e noturna em 27/39. Outros sintomas freqüentes foram: diminuição do apetite (32/43, 74,4 por cento), vômitos (30/43, 69,8 por cento), plenitude pós-prandial (23/43, 53,5 por cento), perda de peso (22/43, 51,2 por cento) e sensibilidade abdominal (19/43, 44,2 por cento). Hemorragia digestiva alta ocorreu em 19/43 pacientes (44,2 por cento), e anemia em 21/43 (48,8 por cento). H. pylori foi detectado em 41/43 (95,3 por cento), e todos esses pacientes apresentaram gastrite crônica ativa de antro, 92 por cento deles com predomínio do infiltrado linfomononuclear. A erradicação da bactéria ocorreu em 68,3 por cento dos pacientes infectados, mas houve cicatrização da lesão em 100 por cento dos pacientes erradicados e em 89 por cento dos não-erradicados. CONCLUSAO: Ulcera duodenal foi associada à gastrite crônica por H. pylori na grande maioria dos pacientes. Houve grande freqüência de complicações, especialmente hemorragia digestiva alta.

Preparo intestinal para colonoscopia com picossulfato sódico e citrato de magnésio em crianças e adolescentes / Bowel preparation for colonoscopy with sodium picosulphate and magnesium citrate in children and adolescents

RACIONAL: A eficácia do exame colonoscópico depende diretamente da limpeza colônica. Ao contrário do paciente adulto, há poucos relatos na literatura sobre preparo colônico em crianças. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia do preparo colônico à base de picossulfato sódico e citrato de magnésio em crianças e adolescentes. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo aberto, prospectivo e consecutivo em crianças maiores de 1 ano, de ambos os sexos, que realizaram colonoscopia por diferentes indicações. Os pacientes receberam a medicação associada à dieta líquida e pastosa sem resíduos no dia anterior ao exame. A eficácia do preparo foi classificada em: Grau I: ótimo; Grau II: bom; Grau III: regular; Grau IV: ruim. RESULTADOS: A idade variou de 12 meses a 16 anos e 1 mês (mediana: 6 anos e 6 meses), sendo 54,3 por cento do sexo masculino. O preparo foi feito conforme a orientação em 37/46 (80,4 por cento) dos pacientes, sendo que 9 não fizeram a dieta adequadamente e 22/46 (47,8 por cento) referiram efeitos colaterais. A eficácia do preparo foi: GI em 41,3 por cento, GII em 52,2 por cento, GIII em 6,5 por cento e GIV em 0 por cento. CONCLUSAO: Preparo intestinal com picossulfato sódico e citrato de magnésio é eficiente e prático, podendo ser recomendado de rotina nos exames de colonoscopia em crianças e adolescentes.

Criptosporidiose e diarréia persistente / Cryptosporidiosis and persistent diarrhea

Objetivo: A Associaçäo entre criptosporidiose e diarréia persistente tem sido estudada em vários países. O presente estudo pretente verificar a incidência desta parasitose entre crianças com diarréia persistente e comparar clínica e laboratorialmente os parasitados e os näo parasitados. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Hospital Santo Antônio, um hospital pediátrico de referência de Porto Alegre, com 70 lactentes internados por diarréia persistente e acompanhado pelo serviço de Gastroenterologia Pediátrica, menores de 2 anos, com anti-HIV näo reagente, e sem outras causas de diarréia. Foram avaliados a duraçäo total da diarréia, a duraçäo da hospitalizaçäo, intercorrências clínicas, a história pregressa de diarréia, o estado nutricional, d-xilosemia e o manejo dietético. Resultados: Criptosporidium sp foi encontrado em 14 (20 por cento) lactentes e foi mais freqüente entre lactentes menores de um ano (23 por cento). A duraçäo da hospitalizaçäo e a duraçäo da diarréia foram similares nos dois grupos. Algum grau de desnutriçäo esteve presente em 91,5 por cento dos pacientes, 92,8 por cento dos parasitados e 91 por cento dos näo parasitados. O manejo dietético foi similar nos dois grupos. Houve tendência a menor xilosemia entre os parasitados, mais evidente no primeiro ano de vida (15,9 +/- 8,2 e 33,8 +/- 19,9 p=0,007)...

Semiologia da febre reumática aguda / Semiology of acute rheumatic fever

A presente revisäo tem por objetivo atualizar os conhecimentos sobre a etiopatogenia, epidemiologia, e a importância da febre reumática aguda. Seräo discutidos o quadro clínico e os critérios de Jones para que o clínico tenha facilidade para diagnosticar em tempo hábil. Esforços devem ser concetrados no sentido de efetuar profilaxia primária e secundária, evitando assim a cardiopatia reumática crônica. Säo relatados os progressos diagnósticos e avanços no tratamento clínico nos últimos anos.