Case volume and outcome of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: results of a nationwide Austrian benchmarking project.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: In a quality assessment project for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), initiated in 2006 by the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, benchmark data were collected on a voluntary basis. Results from the individual participating centers, both academic and community-based, were compared with pooled benchmark data, with the intention that individual problems should be identified and corrected in order to improve patient care in Austria. Success and complication rates in nonselected patients were evaluated, especially with regard to case volume. METHODS: In Austria, with a population of 8 million, 140 sites are registered for ERCP, and it is estimated that up to 15 000 procedures are done annually. Of these sites, 28 participated in the "Benchmarking ERCP" project during the first year, reporting on 3132 procedures, or 22 % of the total number. RESULTS: The overall complication rate in nonselected patients was 12.6 %, consisting of post-ERCP pancreatitis (5.1 %), bleeding (3.7 %), cholangitis (1.9 %), cardiopulmonary complications (0.9 %), and perforation (0.5 %); procedure-related mortality was 0.1 %. The overall therapeutic and diagnostic target was achieved in 84.8 %. High case volume (endoscopists performing > 50 vs. < 50 ERCPs per year; 21 vs. 68 endoscopists) was associated with significantly higher success (86.9 % vs. 80.3 %, P < 0.001) and lower overall complication rates (10.2 % vs. 13.6 %, P = 0.007); significance was not reached for all subgroups of complications. CONCLUSION: Success and complication rates for ERCP in Austria are comparable to those reported elsewhere. In our study, endoscopists with a case volume exceeding 50 ERCPs per year had higher success and lower overall complication rates.

Multicenter retrospective evaluation of capsule endoscopy in clinical routine.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The small bowel is anatomically difficult to examine; disease conditions are rarely located in it, but can be serious. Neither conventional radiography nor push enteroscopy has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect distinct lesions. Wireless capsule endoscopy can theoretically allow imaging of the entire small bowel, with only minimal discomfort for the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 2001 and May 2003, 191 patients received 195 capsules. Data were collected retrospectively from consecutive patients in three centers. The indications for capsule endoscopy were obscure or occult bleeding, suspected Crohn's disease, or other reasons in 151, 25, and 15 patients, respectively. The clinical outcome after 6 months was evaluated on the basis of interviews with patients or relatives. RESULTS: Visualization of the entire small bowel was adequate in 78.4 % of the examinations. The colon was not reached in 16.9 % of cases, and there were minor technical problems in 4.6 %. Relevant pathological findings were identified in 56.2 % of 151 patients with obscure bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia (64 % of whom received blood transfusions). The most common findings were angiodysplasia in 39.7 % of cases and ulcers of the small bowel in 7.3 %. In addition, individual cases of tumors and parasitic worms were detected. Seven of the 25 patients with suspected Crohn's disease (28 %) had the disease confirmed. Three of five patients with polyposis syndrome of the colon were found to have polyps in the small bowel. CONCLUSIONS: Wireless capsule endoscopy can be recommended as part of the routine work-up in patients with obscure bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia. In patients with Crohn's disease, the method may be helpful in establishing or ruling out the diagnosis.

Primary gastric B-cell lymphoma: results of a prospective multicenter study. The German-Austrian Gastrointestinal Lymphoma Study Group.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Appropriate management of primary gastric lymphoma is controversial. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic biopsy diagnosis and clinical staging procedures and assess a treatment strategy based on Helicobacter pylori status and tumor stage and grade. METHODS: Of 266 patients with primary gastric B-cell lymphoma, 236 with stages EI (n = 151) or EII (n = 85) were included in an intention-to-treat analysis. Patients with H. pylori-positive stage EI low-grade lymphoma underwent eradication therapy. Nonresponders and patients with stage EII low-grade lymphoma underwent gastric surgery. Depending on the residual tumor status and predefined risk factors, patients received either radiotherapy or no further treatment. Patients with high-grade lymphoma underwent surgery and chemotherapy at stages EI/EII, complemented by radiation in case of incomplete resection. RESULTS: Endoscopic-bioptic typing and grading and clinical staging were accurate to 73% and 70%, respectively, based on the histopathology of resected specimens. The overall 2-year survival rates for low-grade lymphoma did not differ in the risk-adjusted treatment groups, ranging from 89% to 96%. In high-grade lymphoma, patients with complete resection or microscopic tumor residuals had significantly better survival rates (88% for EI and 83% for EII) than those with macroscopic tumor residues (53%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable need for improvement in clinical diagnostic and staging procedures, especially with a view toward nonsurgical treatment. With the exception of eradication therapy in H. pylori-positive low-grade lymphoma of stage EI and the subgroup of locally advanced high-grade lymphoma, resection remains the treatment of choice. However, because there is an increasing trend toward stomach-conserving therapy, a randomized trial comparing cure of disease and quality of life with surgical and conservative treatment is needed.

Extracellular Enzyme Activities in Relation to Hydrodynamics in the Pomeranian Bight (Southern Baltic Sea).

Abstract The Pomeranian Bight in the southern Baltic Sea is characterized by a huge input of nutrients from the Oder river. This input shows seasonal variation. In winter, the nutrients are introduced in inorganic form. Particulate organic material is dominant in the growth season (summer/autumn). From 1993 to 1996, extracellular enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, peptidase, alpha-, beta-glucosidase, and chitinase) were investigated to describe microbial reaction to the input of organic material and the modification of introduced material. The distribution patterns of extracellular enzyme activities in salinity gradients were studied, in response to the nutrient load. These activities were distinctly lower in winter than in summer and autumn. A close relationship to other biological parameters (Chl a, POC, PON) was observed during the growth season, but not in winter. Changes in peptidase and phosphatase activities between summer and autumn were also observed. The peptidase activity was 9 to 72 times higher in autumn than in summer. In contrast, the alkaline phosphatase activity was 5 to 30 times higher in summer than in autumn. The organic compound turnover rate/hydrolysis rate (To/Hr) ratio is a relative index which describes the coupling of enzymatic hydrolysis and utilization of monomers from investigated substrates (carbohydrates and proteins). In summer, after dilution, the raised To/Hr quotients of glucose indicated limited importance for hydrolysis products in bacterial turnover. The increased demand for glucose resulted in a parallel decrease in monosaccharides. In autumn, the relationship between the turnover of glucose and amino acids and the supply of these substances by enzymatic degradation remained at the same level.

Prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis--long-term follow-up and final results of a multicenter prospective controlled randomized trial in Vienna.

This study reports the final results of a randomized multicenter trial on prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy of large esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis. Forty-one patients received prophylactic treatment and 41 patients were in the control group. A first analysis 3 years after beginning the study revealed no significant difference in the distribution of the bleeding free intervals between both groups, but indicated a tendency towards longer survival of patients with prophylactic sclerotherapy. The follow-up of patients was continued for an additional 3 years. After this time, 53.7% of patients in the sclerotherapy group and 39.1% of patients in the control group were still alive. During the study period of 6 years, variceal bleeding was observed in 31.7% of patients in the sclerotherapy group and in 36.6% of patients in the control group. Neither survival nor incidence of bleeding were statistically different between the two groups. The etiology of cirrhosis did not influence the survival.

Prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices in liver cirrhosis. A multicentre prospective controlled randomised trial in Vienna.

The effect of prophylactic treatment of oesophageal varices by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy before the first episode of variceal haemorrhage was studied in patients with cirrhosis in a prospective, randomised and controlled multicentre trial. From February 1984 to March 1987 patients with liver cirrhosis and large varices (stage III-IV according to Paquet) were treated and followed up. The sample comprised 87 patients: 45 in the prophylactic treatment and 42 in the control group. After excluding drop outs, 41 patients were treated in each group. Twenty nine per cent of patients in the sclerotherapy group and 34% in the control group had a variceal haemorrhage during the period of observation. There was no significant difference in the distributions of the bleeding free intervals between the sclerotherapy and the control groups. During the follow up period 24% of patients in the sclerotherapy group and 46% in the control group died. The distribution of survival times indicates a tendency towards longer survival of patients with prophylactic sclerotherapy, particularly in those with alcoholic cirrhosis.

Combined therapy with cisapride and cimetidine in severe reflux oesophagitis: a double blind controlled trial.

Combined treatment with cimetidine 1 g daily and cisapride 40 mg daily in patients with endoscopically diagnosed severe reflux oesophagitis was compared with single drug therapy (cimetidine and placebo). At the end of the six to 12 weeks treatment, 11 (46%) of the 24 patients under single drug therapy were endoscopically healed and three were improved. In contrast, 16 (70%) of the 23 patients under combined therapy were healed and all of the remainder were improved (p = 0.025). The severity of diurnal and nocturnal heartburn, decreased significantly more (p less than 0.05) on cimetidine + cisapride than on cimetidine + placebo. The combined treatment was well tolerated. These results suggest that combined therapy with cisapride and cimetidine may be useful in patients with severe reflux oesophagitis.

[Treatment of duodenal ulcer with famotidine]. / Therapie des Ulcus duodeni mit Famotidin.

In a prospective double blind study the efficacy and safety of the new H2-receptor antagonist famotidine was compared with ranitidine. 48 patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer were randomly allocated to receive famotidine 40 mg once at night, 20 mg bid, 40 mg bid or ranitidine 150 mg bid. After 4 weeks of treatment the ulcers of 7/12, 10/12, 9/12 and 6/12 patients were healed; the corresponding rates after 8 weeks were 9/12, 12/12, 11/12 and 10/12. Statistically there was no significant difference between the various groups. Adverse events of any clinical importance were not observed. These data indicate, that famotidine is as effective and as safe as ranitidine for the treatment of acute duodenal ulcer.

Effects of low and high dose oral cimetidine on hormone serum levels in patients with peptic ulcers.

Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (hPRL) and testosterone (T) were assayed in a total of 131 patients with peptic ulcer. Initial oral treatment was performed with 1000 mg cimetidine per day for 6 to 12 weeks. After healing was confirmed endoscopically, the patients were switched to a maintenance dose of 400 mg per day cimetidine for 3 years. Serum hormone levels before and during the two regimens were estimated in 48 male, 22 postmenopausal and 5 premenopausal subjects. Comparison between the two cimetidine doses was possible in 76 male, 44 postmenopausal and 6 premenopausal patients. In all patients hormone parameters assayed before therapy were within the normal ranges. FSH was noted to increase significantly in all but the premenopausal group but remained within the normal range. In contrast, hPRL declined significantly in all groups of subjects except for premenopausal females during cimetidine treatment. LH and T did not change during treatment and no differences of hormone serum levels were noted between the two regimens. Present data combine to suggest that an initial treatment with 1000 mg of cimetidine per day did not provoke hyperprolactinemia, and a switch from an initial high dose to a maintenance dose of 400 mg per day did not cause further changes in hormone serum levels. Changes of LH, FSH, hPRL and T recorded in the present study are too small to be considered responsible for possible endocrine disorders observed during cimetidine therapy.

[3-year long-term therapy of recurrent duodenal ulcer with 400 mg cimetidine nocte]. / Dreijährige Langzeittherapie des rezidivierenden Ulcus duodeni mit 400 mg Cimetidin nocte.

253 patients were treated for 3 years with 400 mg cimetidine at night to prevent relapses of recently healed duodenal ulcers. The efficacy of maintenance treatment was evaluated on a life table basis. In contrast to previous studies not the first but the third symptomatic relapse was taken as the major criterium of treatment failure, an assumption, that better represents the everyday practical situation. Further endpoints for the life table calculation were: the wish of the patient to stop treatment after the first or second recurrence, the failure of a first or second recurrence to heal within 12 weeks and side effects. At 1, 2 and 3 years 5 +/- 2.4%, 16 +/- 4.6% and 20 +/- 5.2% respectively had to be considered as treatment failures. 4 patients presented with a bleeding relapse, none of which necessitated emergency operation. There were no irreversible side effects. This study demonstrates that treatment of recurrent duodenal ulcers with 400 mg cimetidine at night for 3 years is safe and improves considerably the quality of life of the majority of patients. The authors suggest that drug maintenance treatment should be offered before surgery is recommended.

Nizatidine versus ranitidine in the prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse. Six-month interim results of a European multicentre study.

Nizatidine, a new H2-receptor antagonist, was compared with ranitidine in a double-blind, randomized, multicentre trial for the prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse. This is the interim analysis of 197 patients admitted to the study by 1 September 1985, having finished a 6-month treatment period by 1 March 1986. At night, 96 and 101 patients received 150 mg nizatidine and 150 mg ranitidine, respectively. Both groups were well matched for demographic data, duration and severity of ulcer disease. Calculating cumulative relapse rates by the life-table method of Cutler and Ederer, 18% on nizatidine and 13% on ranitidine had experienced a symptomatic or asymptomatic recurrence. The difference is not statistically significant. The symptomatic response was identical in both groups, 3/4 of the patients in both groups being free of any symptom over all 6 months. During maintenance treatment, 24% of the patients on nizatidine and 32% of those on ranitidine reported new symptoms, listed as 'adverse events'. However, none of these events was likely to be drug related. There was no difference between the two groups concerning the percentage change of laboratory variables from baseline to endpoint.

Effect of cimetidine treatment in the prevention of gastric ulcer relapse: a one year double blind multicentre study.

One hundred and forty six gastric ulcer patients were given open treatment using 1 g cimetidine daily to heal their ulcers. Of 130 who completed the acute treatment period of eight weeks, 112 (86%) had healed ulcers. Of these 112 patients with healed ulcers, 108 entered a one year double blind study to compare the effect of cimetidine maintenance therapy (400 mg at night) with placebo. Of the 84 patients available for assessment at the end of one year, 86% in the cimetidine treated group were in remission compared with 45% in the placebo treated group (chi 2 = 15.03; p less than 0.001). There were similar losses from non-compliance and drop out in both groups. The incidence of untoward effects and significant drug related laboratory abnormalities was low. The results indicate that cimetidine heals nearly 90% of acute gastric ulcers within eight weeks and that subsequent low dose maintenance treatment at night offers a considerable benefit over placebo therapy.

Hormone serum levels during oral cimetidine treatment of patients with peptic ulcers.

Radioimmunoassayable basal serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (hPRL), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) were estimated in a total of 68 patients, who were treated because of peptic ulcer with 1 g cimetidine per day. 37 patients were male and 31 were female subjects, respectively. Hormone serum levels were assayed before and 4 to 6 weeks after start of therapy. A significant increase of LH serum levels (p less than 0.025) and a significant decrease of hPRL (p less than 0.025) was noted in the male subjects during therapy. Similarly, a decrease of hPRL serum levels (p less than 0.001) was registered in the female subjects during treatment with 1 g cimetidine per day. All other hormone serum levels in both female and male subjects remained unchanged. The present data combine to suggest that 1 g cimetidine per day does not provoke hyperprolactinemia. In addition, cimetidine at the dose used does not interfere with other hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and therefore, cannot be considered, responsible for endocrine disorders during treatment with cimetidine.

[Benign chronic conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia: rotor syndrome or hepatic storage impairment?]. / Benigne chronische konjugierte Hyperbilirubinämie: Rotor-Syndrom oder hepatischer Speicherdefekt?

In a 52-year-old female who was jaundiced since early childhood, marked conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and a delay of bromsulfophthalein and indocyanine green plasma disappearance rates were observed. Liver histology, plasma bile acids and plasma clearance of 14-C-cholic acid were normal. There was a pronounced impairment of the relative storage capacity of bromsulfophthalein (S = 2,4 mg/mg%) and a moderate decrease of BSP-transport maximum.

[Pseudomyxoma of the peritoneum (author's transl)]. / Das Peritonealpseudomyxom.

A case report is given of a peritoneal pseudomyxoma originating from pseudomucineous cystadenomata of both ovaries. The diagnosis was established by peritoneoscopy and histological examination. Both ovaries were removed surgically and cytostatic treatment initiated thereafter; hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion was done as well. The patient lives after surgery now for more than a year without recurrence of the disease.