[Acute upper gastrointestinal nonvariceal bleeding--how to determine low risk patients for rebleeding and mortality after endoscopic sclerotherapy?].

INTRODUCTION: Successful endoscopic sclerotherapy is effective in securing hemostasis for bleeding lesions and remains the first line and only needed therapy for most of the patients (pts), but bleeding reoccurs in 10% to 30% pts, and 4% to 14% of the pts die after acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The need for hospitalization and its duration for all the bleeding pts is still a controversial question. AIM: To create the simple scoring system able to determine low risk pts for rebleeding and mortality by establishing the relative importance of risk factors for rebleeding and mortality after successful endoscopic sclerotherapy of acute nonvariceal UGIB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study included 3 15 pts who where admitted to hospital because of acute nonvariceal UGIB. All of them underwent gastroscopy with successful sclerotherapy within 12 hours after the admission. We investigated the episode of rebleeding and death during the initial hospitalization, and analyzed the following parameters: age, gender, drug intake, shock, bleeding stigmata, location of bleeding lesion and comorbidity. RESULTS: Rebleeding occurred in 53 pts (16.8%) and was determined by shock, bleeding stigmata and comorbidity. Eleven pts (3.5%) died and shock, rebleeding and comorbidity were all independent, statistically significant predictors of pts' mortality. The numerical scores for determination of pts with different risk levels for rebleeding and mortality have been developed using the significant predictors of rebleeding and death. The score values for rebleeding ranged from 3 to 9 and pts with values < or = 4 had low risk of rebleeding. We identified 59 pts (18.7% of all) with score for rebleeding < or = 4. Score values for mortality risk ranged from 3 to 8 and the values < 5 revealed negligible risk of death. In our group we found 290 pts (92.1% of all) with low mortality score values. CONCLUSION: Following the successful initial endoscopic sclerotherapy, these scores can help to identify pts with low risk of rebleeding and negligible risk of death, so they can be treated as outpatients.

[The role of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) in differential diagnosis of subepithelial oesophago-gastric lesions].

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) allows high-resolution demonstration of the entire gut wall. The aim of the study was to clarify the usefulness of the EUS in differential diagnosis of upper gastro-intestinal subepithelail lesions(SEL). METHODS: From September 1998- March 2005, EUS was performed in 1600 patients. Among them, in 206pts (13%), this examination was carried out due to previous upper endoscopy, which revealed the suspicion to SEL or extraluminal compression. We studied the location, the size, echo pattern and originating layer of SEL. The results were compared with CT, angiography and operation with histology when possible. All EUS examinations were performed using Olympus GIF-130 videoecho-endoscope with 7,5/12MHz switchable radial probe. RESULTS: EUS accuracy in separating intramural masses from extraluminal compression was 96%(44/46). Among 160 pts with true SEL, in 95(59.3%), EUS revealed the existence of a stromal tumor arising from muscularis propria (92) or muscularis mucosae (3). The size of the tumor varied from 5-75mm; depth: 8-40mm. 33 patients were operated on. In 14/16(87%), the EUS diagnosis of benign stromal tumor was confirmed on operation. In 18/19(95%), EUS correctly disclosed the malignant tumor. EUS accuracy in predicting malignancy was 91.5%(32/35). Findings suggestive for malignancy were: size 40mm; inhomogenicity with microcysts and irregular outer margin. In 12 pts, EUS revealed lypoma. Abberant pancreas was correctly diagnosed in all 22pts. In 16 persons, EUS disclosed submucosal cysts: 6 of them were operated on and EUS diagnosis was confirmed in all. In 10 patients EUS visualized varices. The finding was confirmed on angiography. CONCLUSION: The EUS appears to be very effective in differential diagnosis of SEL in upper gastro-intestinal tract. Tumour size greater than 40mm, inhomomogenous echo pattern and irregular outer margin are very suggestive for malignancy.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of small intestine--case report]. / Gastrointestinalni stromalni tumor tankog creva.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a form of mesenchimal neoplasm that may be present in all parts of gastrointestinal system. We are reviewing diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for patient with diagnosed gastrointestinal neoplasm of small intestine, experiencing repeated episodes of painful bleeding from gastrointestinal trackt.