[Study of gastronitestinal transit times with capsule endoscopy]. / Estudio de los tiempos de tránsito gastrointestinal con cápsula endoscópica.

INTRODUCTION: Until the introduction of capsule endoscopy (CE), studies of gastrointestinal transit times were based on indirect data or data obtained with radiographic techniques. We analyzed gastric and intestinal transit times through the images obtained with EC and evaluated the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal perimeter on these times. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Of the total number of procedures performed over one year, we reviewed 89 in which CE reached the blind gut. Transit times through the pylorus and the ileocecal valve, as well as a series of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients, were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59.2 years with a mean BMI of 25.5. Gastric transit times ranged from 0.7 to 171 min (mean 22.6) while small intestine transit times ranged from 91 to 416 min (mean 283.3). No significant associations were found between gastric and intestinal transit times with age, sex, BMI, or abdominal perimeter. A significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between transit time of CE through the stomach with respect to the time taken between the pylorus and the cecal pole. CONCLUSION: CE is a good method to study gastrointestinal transit times directly and could lead to greater knowledge of the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal entities. Age, sex and nutritional status do not seem to influence intestinal kinetics. In contrast, longer or shorter gastric emptying times have an inverse effect on the transit of CE through the small intestine.

[Colonic polyps: dysplasia predictive factors]. / Pólipos de colon: factores predictivos de displasia.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the presence of dysplasia in colonoscopy visualized colonic polyps, and the predictive factors for high grade dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied the polyps observed in the colonoscopies carried out during the year 2001. Colonoscopies carried out in 2,144 patients were analyzed, with demonstration of polyps in 326 patients (average age: 67 12,6 years, 63,5% males). 732 polyps were analyzed, with average of 2.27 2 polyps by patient. RESULTS: 72% polyps were located distally to splenic flexure, and sigmoid colon was the most frequent location (34.7%). Most of the polyps (86%) were sessile. Only 3% were > 2 cm, and the majority (88%) was < 1 cm. The most prevalent histological type was tubular adenoma (36%). Dysplasia was observed in 42.2% (low grade in 40% and high grade in 2.2%) Size > 1 cm and location proximal to splenic flexure were the only variables with indendent significant association to high grade dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high grade dysplasia in the colonic polyps was related in our cohort both to the location of the polyps in the colon and to its size, so that greater risk was for proximal polyps and for polyps > 1 cm.

Helical CT without contrast in choledocholithiasis diagnosis.

The goal of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of the helical CT without contrast in suspected cases of choledocholithiasis, comparing this test with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Forty patients with possible choledocholithiasis were studied prospectively. There were 23 women and 17 men, ranging in age from 24 to 91 years. Helical CT was performed immediately before ERCP (time interval between the two procedures was less than 1 h). A biliary area previously selected was studied with a technique of pitch 1 and slice thickness of 3.2 mm. Average time was 30 s. Reconstruction with different increments and windows were made. Stone presence was evaluated in bile duct and Vater's ampulla. Biliary dilation was evaluated too. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography found stones in 19 patients and absence of stones in 20. One case was failed, but stones in bile duct were demonstrated during intraoperative cholangiography. Helical CT demonstrated stones in 15 of the 19 patients with positive ERCP. There were no false positives with CT. Patients without stones in ERCP were also negative in CT. The patient having the failed ERCP was considered positive in CT. The CT sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 100%, with an accuracy of 90%. Helical CT without contrast has sensitivity and specificity good enough to be used as a screening technique in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis.

[Colonic balantidiasis]. / Balantidiasis cólica.

Balantidium coli is a Protozoa that is not usually pathogenic in man, although epidemics have been described in tropical areas. It mainly affects the colon and clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic forms to severe dysenteric syndromes. We present a case of endoscopically diagnosed colonic balantidiasis and review the most important characteristics of this parasite-induced disease.

[Gastric anisakiasis diagnosed with endoscopy]. / Anisakiasis gástrica diagnosticada por endoscopia.

Anisakiasis is a parasitic infestation, infrequent in Spain, due to ingestion of raw or underdone by Anisakis larvae. Also it can appear after consumption of smoked, salted or dried salt fish. The disease can show under different clinical forms, depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract where the larva settles. We report two cases of anisakiasis diagnosed in Valladolid. Both patients were women that had eaten some days before anchovies marinated with vinegar. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic examination and the problem was solved by extraction of the parasite. It worthy to note that both cases appeared in a short time interval, showing perhaps some seasonal character. Finally some hygienic-dietetic measures are proposed for combating the disease.