Dilatación neumática en el tratamiento de pacientes con acalasia / Pneumatic dilation in the treatment of achalasia

INTRODUCCIÓN: La dilatación neumática y la miotomía quirúrgica son actualmente los tratamientos de elección de la acalasia sintomática. La selección de una u otra como primera opción depende de la experiencia de cada centro y de las preferencias del paciente. OBJETIVO: Revisar la experiencia en nuestro centro de la dilatación neumática en pacientes con acalasia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico, endoscópico y manométrico compatible con acalasia a los que se les practicó una dilatación neumática en un periodo de 19 años. Todas las dilataciones se realizaron de forma sistemática con un balón Rigiflex(R), en la mayoría de los casos con presiones de 250, 250 y 300 mmHg en 3 tiempos de un minuto separados por un minuto de duración. Se evaluó el éxito de la dilatación en función de la sintomatología del paciente, número de sesiones requeridas y necesidad de cirugía, así como la presencia de complicaciones. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 171 pacientes, 53,2% varones y 46,8% mujeres, con una edad media de 51,53 ± 17,78 años (16-87), desde junio de 1993 hasta octubre de 2012. En 157 pacientes se utilizó un balón de 35mm, en 9 pacientes un balón de 30 mm y en 7 pacientes, uno de 40 mm. Del total de pacientes: 108 requirieron una sola sesión de dilatación, 56 dos sesiones con un tiempo medio entre la primera y la segunda sesión de 25,23 ± 43,25 meses (1-215) y 7 pacientes, 3 sesiones con un tiempo medio entre la segunda y la tercera sesión de 6,86 ± 5,33 meses (1-15). El 82% de los pacientes presentaron una buena evolución tras la dilatación, considerándose esta exitosa. De los 140 pacientes que presentaron respuesta, 121 tuvieron respuesta completa (desaparición total de los síntomas sin reaparición de los mismos) y 19 respuesta parcial (desaparición inicial de los síntomas con posterior reaparición). Un 15,8% de los pacientes requirieron cirugía (miotomía de Heller). En 4 de los 171 pacientes hubo complicación de la técnica, siendo todas ellas perforaciones que se resolvieron satisfactoriamente, 2 de ellas con tratamiento conservador y otras 2 de forma quirúrgica. No hubo ningún evento de mortalidad en relación con la técnica ni con las complicaciones de la misma. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra serie, la dilatación neumática presentó una alta tasa de éxito, en la mayoría de los casos con una única sesión, y un escaso porcentaje de complicaciones, por lo que demuestra ser una técnica eficaz y segura para estos pacientes, evitando un gran número de intervenciones quirúrgicas

INTRODUCTION: Pneumatic dilation and surgical myotomy are currently the procedures of choice to treat achalasia. The selection of one or other treatment depends on the experience of each center and patient preferences. Background and aims: To review the experience of pneumatic dilation in patients with achalasia in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all patients with a clinical, endoscopic and manometric diagnosis compatible with achalasia who underwent pneumatic dilation in a 19-year period. All dilations were routinely performed with a Rigiflex(R) balloon, usually at pressures of 250, 250 and 300mm Hg in three inflations of one minute, each separated by one minute. The success of the dilation was assessed on the basis of the patient's symptoms, the number of sessions, the need for surgery, and the presence of complications. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included, 53.2% men and 46.8% women, with a mean age of 51.53 ± 17.78 years (16-87 years), from June 1993 to October 2012. A 35-mm balloon was used in 157 patients, a 30-mm balloon in 9 patients and a 40-mm balloon in 7 patients. A single dilation session was required in 108 patients, two sessions were required in 56 patients, with a mean time between the first and second sessions of 25.23 ± 43.25 months (1-215 months), and 3 sessions were required in 7 patients with a mean time between the second and third sessions of 6.86±5.33 months (1-15 months). Outcome after dilation was successful in 81% of the patients. Of the 140 responders, 121 had complete response (complete disappearance of symptoms without recurrence) and 19 partial response (initial disappearance of symptoms with subsequent reappearance). Surgery (Heller myotomy) was required in 15.8% of the patients. Perforation occurred in 4 of the 171 patients as a complication of the technique; these perforations were satisfactorily resolved, two by conservative treatment and two by surgery. There was no mortality associated with the technique or its complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, pneumatic dilation had a high success rate. In most patients, a single session was required and the complications rate was low. These results show that this technique is safe and effective in these patients, avoiding a large number of surgical interventions

Valoración precoz de la anemia en el paciente con hemorragia digestiva aguda: concordancia entre gasometría venosa y laboratorio convencional / Early evaluation of anaemia in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: venous blood gas analysis compared to conventional laboratory

Fundamento y objetivo: La valoración del paciente con hemorragia digestiva (HD) aguda requiere de una evaluación clínica y analítica precoz. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar la concordancia de la determinación de hemoglobina (Hb) y hematocrito (HTC) precozmente mediante gasometría venosa (GSV) y de forma convencional por el Laboratorio (LAB) de Urgencias. Pacientes y método: Estudio observacional y prospectivo de pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Hemorragias Digestivas por HD aguda alta y baja. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas y muestras de sangre venosa simultáneas para la determinación de Hb y HTC por GSV y LAB. Se analizó la concordancia de ambos métodos mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) y el análisis de Bland-Altman. Resultados: Se incluyeron 132 pacientes. Un total de 87 (65,9%) eran varones y la edad media fue de 66,8 años. La GSV sobreestimó la Hb en 0,49 g/dl (intervalo de confianza del 95% 0,21-0,76) respecto al LAB. La concordancia fue muy buena en la Hb (CCI 0,931) y buena en el HTC (CCI 0,899), mostrando las gráficas de Bland-Altman tanto la concordancia como la sobreestimación de la determinación de la Hb por GSV. En 19 pacientes (14,39%) la Hb por GSV superó en más de 1 g/dl la determinación final obtenida por LAB. Conclusiones: La determinación precoz de Hb y HTC en pacientes con HD aguda mediante GSV resulta fiable en la valoración inicial de la anemia. La GSV sobreestima sistemáticamente el valor de Hb en al menos 0,5 g/dl, por lo que la evaluación clínica y hemodinámica del sangrante debe prevalecer sobre el resultado analítico (AU)

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[Pneumatic dilation in the treatment of achalasia]. / Dilatación neumática en el tratamiento de pacientes con acalasia.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumatic dilation and surgical myotomy are currently the procedures of choice to treat achalasia. The selection of one or other treatment depends on the experience of each center and patient preferences. BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To review the experience of pneumatic dilation in patients with achalasia in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all patients with a clinical, endoscopic and manometric diagnosis compatible with achalasia who underwent pneumatic dilation in a 19-year period. All dilations were routinely performed with a Rigiflex(®) balloon, usually at pressures of 250, 250 and 300mm Hg in three inflations of one minute, each separated by one minute. The success of the dilation was assessed on the basis of the patient's symptoms, the number of sessions, the need for surgery, and the presence of complications. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included, 53.2% men and 46.8% women, with a mean age of 51.53±17.78 years (16-87 years), from June 1993 to October 2012. A 35-mm balloon was used in 157 patients, a 30-mm balloon in 9 patients and a 40-mm balloon in 7 patients. A single dilation session was required in 108 patients, two sessions were required in 56 patients, with a mean time between the first and second sessions of 25.23±43.25 months (1-215 months), and 3 sessions were required in 7 patients with a mean time between the second and third sessions of 6.86±5.33 months (1-15 months). Outcome after dilation was successful in 81% of the patients. Of the 140 responders, 121 had complete response (complete disappearance of symptoms without recurrence) and 19 partial response (initial disappearance of symptoms with subsequent reappearance). Surgery (Heller myotomy) was required in 15.8% of the patients. Perforation occurred in 4 of the 171 patients as a complication of the technique; these perforations were satisfactorily resolved, two by conservative treatment and two by surgery. There was no mortality associated with the technique or its complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, pneumatic dilation had a high success rate. In most patients, a single session was required and the complications rate was low. These results show that this technique is safe and effective in these patients, avoiding a large number of surgical interventions.

[Early evaluation of anaemia in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: venous blood gas analysis compared to conventional laboratory]. / Valoración precoz de la anemia en el paciente con hemorragia digestiva aguda: concordancia entre gasometría venosa y laboratorio convencional.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGB) requires early clinical evaluation and analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate early concordance of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HTC) levels determined by conventional venous blood gas analysis (VBG) and by conventional Laboratory in Emergencies (LAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational and prospective study of patients admitted in the Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage Unit with both high and low AGB. Demographic and clinical variables and simultaneous venous blood samples were obtained to determine Hb and HTC by VBG and LAB. Concordance in both methods was analysed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two patients were included: 87 (65.9%) males, average age 66.8 years. VBG overestimated Hb in 0.49 g/dl (95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.76) with respect to LAB. Concordance was very high in Hb (ICC 0.931) and high in HTC (0.899), with the Bland-Altman graphs showing both concordance and overestimation of Hb levels determined by VBG. In 19 patients (14.39%), Hb by VBG exceeded in more than 1g/dL the final determination obtained by LAB. CONCLUSIONS: Early determination of Hb and HTC in patients with AGB by VBG provides reliable results in the initial evaluation of anaemia. VBG systematically overestimates Hb values by less than 0.5 g/dl, and therefore clinical and hemodynamic evaluation of the bleeding patient should prevail over analytical results.

Can systemic cytokines predict relapse of inflammatory bowel disease?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the value of systemic cytokines as predictors of relapse in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODOLOGY: A prospective study with 135 patients in clinical remission for at least 3 months. At enrollment, a venous blood was drawn in order to measure, by an ELISA test, the following cytokines: TNFalpha, TNFalpha-R1 and R2, IL-16, IL-1beta, IL 2, IL-R2, IL-6, IL-10, and IFNgamma. All patients were followed-up for one year. RESULT: Sixty-six patients had Crohn's disease (CD) and 69 had ulcerative colitis (UC). Thirty-nine (30%) had a relapse. Forty-four percent were receiving immunomodulatory therapy. No differences were found regarding detection and baseline concentration of the various cytokines between patients with CD and UC, or between patients with or without ongoing use of immunomodulators. The detection and concentration levels of cytokines were not associated with the risk of relapse of IBD. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic cytokines are of little value to predict IBD relapse.

Utilidad de la endoscopia ultrafina transnasal en la aplicación de sondas de nutrición enteral / Usefulness of ultrathin transnasal endoscopy for the placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes

INTRODUCCIÓN: La colocación de sondas de nutrición enteral puede requerir apoyo endoscópico.OBJETIVO: Analizar la utilidad de la endoscopia ultrafinatransnasal en este aspecto.PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio ambispectivo de todos lospacientes a los que se les ha realizado esta técnica (4,9 mm) en 2007.RESULTADOS: Se realizaron exploraciones en 26 pacientescon una edad de 69,3 ± 13 años. Se utilizó anestesia tópica nasal en 23 (88,4%) pacientes, midazolam en 8 exploraciones (30,8%) y ninguna en 4 (15,3%). Las indicaciones fueron las siguientes: lesiones estenosantes esofágicas (42,3%), colocación distal a una afección (46,1%) e imposibilidad de colocación de forma habitual (11,5%). Se colocaron 13 (50%) nasoduodenales, 7 (29,6%) nasogástricas y 6 (23,1%) nasoyeyunales. Se obtuvo un 100% de resultados positivos. El calibre de sonda más empleado fue de 12 F. No se apreciaroncomplicaciones.CONCLUSIONES: La endoscopia ultrafina se ha utilizado en la aplicación de sonda nasoenteral de forma exitosa, segura y con relativa facilidad en este tipo de pacientes

BACKGROUND: Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes canrequire endoscopic support.AIM: To analyze the usefulness of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an ambispectivestudy of all patients who underwent nasoenteral feeding (4.9 mm) in 2007.RESULTS: Twenty-six procedures were performed. The meanage of the patients was 69.3 ± 13 years. Nasal anesthesia was used in 23 patients (88.4%), and midazolam in 8 (30.8%). No anesthesia was used in 4 patients (15.3%). Indications: stenotic esophageal lesions (42.3%), distal placement to thepathological alteration (46.1%), and failure of placement through the normal route (11.5%). We placed 13 (50%) nasoduodenal, 7 (29.6%) nasogastric and 6 (23.1%) nasojejunal tubes. The success rate was 100%. The most frequently used calibre was 12 F. There were no complications.CONCLUSIONS: The use of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy inthe placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in our patients was safe, effective and relatively easy

[Usefulness of ultrathin transnasal endoscopy for the placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes]. / Utilidad de la endoscopia ultrafina transnasal en la aplicación de sondas de nutrición enteral.

BACKGROUND: Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes can require endoscopic support. AIM: To analyze the usefulness of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an ambispective study of all patients who underwent nasoenteral feeding (4.9 mm) in 2007. RESULTS: Twenty-six procedures were performed. The mean age of the patients was 69.3+/-13 years. Nasal anesthesia was used in 23 patients (88.4%), and midazolam in 8 (30.8%). No anesthesia was used in 4 patients (15.3%). INDICATIONS: stenotic esophageal lesions (42.3%), distal placement to the pathological alteration (46.1%), and failure of placement through the normal route (11.5%). We placed 13 (50%) nasoduodenal, 7 (29.6%) nasogastric and 6 (23.1%) nasojejunal tubes. The success rate was 100%. The most frequently used calibre was 12 F. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in our patients was safe, effective and relatively easy.

Isolated oesophageal involvement of Crohn's disease.

A 31-year-old male was admitted with complaints of dysphagia and odynophagia. An upper gastrointestinal tract series revealed inflammatory changes in the mid and distal oesophagus with intramural extravasation of the barium. An upper endoscopy showed multiple ulcerations and inflammation. The patient developed a large stricture with no response to serial endoscopic dilations and a surgical resection of the oesophagus was required. Gross examination of the surgical specimen revealed transmural inflammation, deep ulcerations and non-necrotizing epithelioid cell granuloma. All these pathological findings were characteristic of Crohn's disease of the oesophagus. After 36 months of follow-up there has been no recurrence of symptoms or of other sites of involvement.