Miniprobe EUS in the pretherapeutic assessment of early esophageal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The high-frequency endosonography miniprobe has been advocated prior to endoscopic treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasm. We conducted a retrospective study, which summarized our clinical experience with various miniprobe techniques in the assessment of early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and superficial adenocarcinoma on Barrett's mucosa (SAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 106 superficial and naive esophageal lesions were included in this series (52 SAB, 54 SCC). The results of the miniprobe staging were compared with pathology in order to determine the accuracy of this technique in differentiating mucosal from submucosal infiltration. Secondary aims were a comparison between the frequencies (20- vs. 30-MHz) and coupling methods (water-filled lumen vs. balloon-sheathed catheter) used. RESULTS: Overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to differentiate T1sm from T1 m tumors were 73.5 %, 62 %, and 76.5 %, respectively. Overdiagnosis occurred in 18.6 % of the lesions. No statistically significant difference was found in the accuracy of the miniprobe staging between the two lesion types (SCC and SAB) ( P = 0.65), and results were significantly poorer in the distal part of the esophagus ( P = 0.00039). No significant difference was found between the two frequencies ( P = 0.51). Water-filled lumen proved to be superior to the balloon-sheathed catheter ( P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: High-frequency miniprobe examination has a limited accuracy in the detection of submucosal invasion in early esophageal cancer. Further improvements in acoustic coupling and ultrasound technique are required to improve the miniprobe accuracy before its implementation into clinical routine.

[Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the liver in HIV infected patient: case-report]. / Lymphome non hodgkinien primitif du foie chez un patient infecté par le VIH: à propos d'une observation.

INTRODUCTION: Primary liver non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are extremely rare in HIV-infected patient. Most of them are diffuse large-cell lymphoma with B cell type. EXEGESIS: We report here the case of a 34-year-old HIV-infected patient, admitted for jaundice and fever since 15 days. Abdominal computerised tomography showed numerous hypodense lesions on all liver segments. The various biological, microbiological and morphological examinations (ultrasound, MRI with intravenous contrast agent specific for the liver) initially suggested a tumoral origin. The liver biopsy concluded to a large B-cell lymphoma. A chemotherapy (CHOP) with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) was initiated without discontinuing antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: This case-report does emphasize on the numerous presentations of primary liver lymphoma in HIV-Infected patient, and we illustrate the interest of MRI using a new intravenous contrast agent critical for differential diagnosis.

Successful treatment of hepatic hydrothorax with octreotide.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a rare complication of cirrhosis. Controlling ascites formation is the goal of therapy. We report the case of an adult patient presenting with alcoholic cirrhosis who developed first a symptomatic hydrothorax, refractory to diuretics and fluid and sodium restriction, and then an hepatorenal syndrome. Treatment consisted of chest tube insertion and 5 days' intravenous infusion of octreotide. Complete clinical and biological data were reviewed. Octreotide administration resulted in an increased urinary outflow and sodium output, concomitant with improved renal function. The patient has been free of symptoms after discharge from hospital for a follow-up period of 5 months. This observation raises interesting issues regarding the possible utility of splanchnic vasoconstrictors, reducing portal hypertension, in the treatment of refractory hepatic hydrothorax.