[The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) in the management of portal hypertension. A preliminary report]. / Fístula portosistémica con prótesis intrahepática por vía transyugular (TIPS) en el manejo de la hipertensión porta. Communicación preliminar.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-stent (TIPS) was performed in 5 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Bleeding varices occurred in 4 patients and refractory ascites in one. We used 2 Wallstents and 3 Strecker stents. Shunt patency, recurrent variceal hemorrhage and ascites were evaluated. The shunts were created from a transjugular approach between the hepatic and portal vein, with diameters of 10 mm. Portal pressure was adequately decreased in all cases. The hospital stay, following TIPS was 3 days. Complete variceal decompression was identified endoscopically in 3 patients, and partial in one. Four shunts were patent by ultrasound and color Doppler at 1 to 6 months of follow up. One patient presented encephalopathy and one died at third day after TIPS. Initial results suggest that TIPS is an effective method of portal decompression for treatment of variceal hemorrhage and refractory ascites. The main complication was encephalopathy and only one patient died.

Ogilvie's syndrome in the postcesarean section patient.

Two cases of colonic pseudo-obstruction (the so-called Ogilvie's syndrome) are reported. Both patients were in the immediate postcesarean section puerperium. The importance of early diagnosis in these cases is stressed, because this complication has a high mortality rate, frequently in relation to delayed diagnosis and treatment. One patient was successfully treated with conservative measures because diagnosis was made early. A plain X-ray abdominal film which shows cecum dilatation, with or without ascending and transverse colon dilatation, and no distal air, makes the diagnosis. A cecum diameter of 9 cm or more is a surgical indication, because the possibility of wall perforation is high. Surgical techniques are: puncture decompression or cecostomy. When cecum diameter is less than 9 cm, non-surgical measures (nasogastric suction, correction of any fluid and electrolytic imbalance, and maybe a flatus tube) are indicated. Observation through repeated X-ray abdominal films shows when the surgical indication appears: (1) failure of the conservative treatment (cecal distension continues or increases); or (2) cecal perforation is documented.

[Latex agglutination test in amebic liver abscess]. / Prueba de aglutinación del látex en absceso hepático amibiano.

Amebic hepatic abscesses are one of the most frequent and serious complications of intestinal amibiasis. Although many methods exists with which the diagnosis can be made, frequently problems do arise. Serologic reactions play an important role in the diagnosis of amebic hepatic abscess. Among the most useful of the serological tests, is that which evaluates agglutination with latex particles. Latex agglutination was positive in 98.5% of 200 cases of proved amebic hepatic abscess. The pros and cons of the utility of this test compared with other serological tests are discussed. It is concluded that or the especialist as well as the general practicioner latex agglutination can be extremely useful in the diagnosis of amebic hepatic abscess.