Reinforcing the valuable role of gastric ultrasound for volume and content assessment: an observational study

Abstract Background Pulmonary aspiration is one of the most important complications in anesthesiology. Assessment of gastric content by ultrasound is a good method to quantify gastric volume and to determine the risk of intraoperative pulmonary aspiration. The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of the gastric ultrasonography in the qualitative analysis of gastric content, mainly in the analysis of small amounts of liquid content. Methods Gastric ultrasound was performed to 36 patients before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI), making two longitudinal scans at the epigastric level, one in supine position and the other in right lateral decubitus position, measuring two diameters and the area of the gastric antrum and assessing the content characteristics determining whether it was an empty stomach or contained fluid or solid content. Subsequently, the ultrasound findings were compared with UGI findings. Results Gastric areas were analyzed by the trace and the lengths of the craniocaudal and anteroposterior axes concluding that there are no significant differences between the two methods. No statistically significant difference was found between UGI and US assessment technics. No statistically significant difference was found between the estimated volume by UGI and US. Conclusions Though our study has some limitations, qualitative analysis of gastric content using ultrasound followed by endoscopy enabled the conclusion that there are no differences in the qualitative assessment regarding these two techniques, supporting the important role of point-of-care gastric ultrasound (POCGUS) in the assessment of pulmonary aspiration risk by the anesthesiologist in the perioperative period.

Reinforcing the valuable role of gastric ultrasound for volume and content assessment: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary aspiration is one of the most important complications in anesthesiology. Assessment of gastric content by ultrasound is a good method to quantify gastric volume and to determine the risk of intraoperative pulmonary aspiration. The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of the gastric ultrasonography in the qualitative analysis of gastric content, mainly in the analysis of small amounts of liquid content. METHODS: Gastric ultrasound was performed to 36 patients before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI), making two longitudinal scans at the epigastric level, one in supine position and the other in right lateral decubitus position, measuring two diameters and the area of the gastric antrum and assessing the content characteristics determining whether it was an empty stomach or contained fluid or solid content. Subsequently, the ultrasound findings were compared with UGI findings. RESULTS: Gastric areas were analyzed by the trace and the lengths of the craniocaudal and anteroposterior axes concluding that there are no significant differences between the two methods. No statistically significant difference was found between UGI and US assessment technics. No statistically significant difference was found between the estimated volume by UGI and US. CONCLUSIONS: Though our study has some limitations, qualitative analysis of gastric content using ultrasound followed by endoscopy enabled the conclusion that there are no differences in the qualitative assessment regarding these two techniques, supporting the important role of point-of-care gastric ultrasound (POCGUS) in the assessment of pulmonary aspiration risk by the anesthesiologist in the perioperative period.

Tumor infrecuente como causa de dispepsia / Rare tumor as a cause of dyspesia

El pólipo fibroide inflamatorio gástrico es una entidad clínico-patológica rara, la cual representa una incidencia del 0,1 % de todos los pólipos gástricos.Con mayor frecuencia afecta a adultos en un amplio rango de edad, cuyo pico de incidencia es entre la sexta y séptima décadas de la vida. Las lesiones son predominantemente asintomáticas y se detectan incidentalmente en la endoscopia o en las imágenes realizadas por causas no relacionadas. Ocasionalmente, los pólipos fibroides provocan sintomatología, ya sea por su gran tamaño que causa obstrucción de la salida gástrica, o por la erosión de la mucosa que se presenta con sangrado gastrointestinal superior manifiesto u oculto.

The gastric inflammatory fibroid polyp is a rare clinical-pathological entity, representing an incidence of 0.1% of all gastric polyps. It most frequently affects adults in a wide age range, and its incidence peak is between the sixth and seventh decades of life. The lesions remain predominantly asymptomatic and are detected incidentally on endoscopy or imaging for unrelated causes. Occasionally, fibroid polyps cause symptoms due to their large size causing gastric outlet obstruction, or due to mucosal erosion presenting with overt or occult upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Páncreas ectópico en antro gástrico asociado a síntomas de reflujo. Reporte de un caso / Ectopic pancreas in gastric antrum associated to reflux symptoms. Report of a case

RESUMEN El páncreas ectópico es una entidad poco común. Como tumor submucoso de origen congénito, frecuentemente presenta un curso asintomático, aunque con posibles complicaciones. Su diagnóstico de certeza se basa en la endoscopia, el ultrasonido endoscópico y la histología, que permiten adoptar una conducta expectante o quirúrgica. El paciente estudiado presentó un páncreas ectópico localizado en antro gástrico asociado a síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico rebeldes a tratamiento, los cuales motivaron el estudio endoscópico, con el consecuente hallazgo de dicha entidad (AU).

ABSTRACT Ectopic pancreas is a little common entity. As congenital-originated sub mucous tumor, it frequently presents an asymptomatic course, though with possible complications. Its definitive diagnosis is based in the endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and histology, allowing to adopt an expectant or surgical behavior. The current patient presented an unresponsive-to-treatment ectopic pancreas located in the gastric antrum associated to gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms. This motivated the endoscopic study consequently leading to finding this entity (AU).

Ultrasonographic evaluation of gastric content and volume: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchoaspiration of gastric content is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but evaluating this complication is a difficult task. However, gastric ultrasonography can safely assess gastric content and prevent bronchoaspiration. Therefore, a systematic review was performed in order to verify the efficacy of ultrasonography in the qualitative and quantitative analyses of gastric content. METHODS: A literature review of articles published between 2009 and 2019 in the PubMed and LILACS databases was conducted using combinations of the keywords "gastric ultrasound," "gastric emptying," and "gastric content." RESULTS: Of the 20 articles found, 19 chose the antral region as the best site for qualitative analysis of the gastric content. Regarding quantitative measurement, the most commonly used method to calculate the gastric volume in eight articles was the formula "Gastric Volume = 27 + (14.6 × ATAG) - (1.28 × Age)," in which the area of the transverse section of the gastric antrum (ATAG) could also be calculated by the largest antral diameters or by free tracing. CONCLUSION: An efficient evaluation of the gastric content can be performed by ultrasonography of the antral region, contributing to greater safety in the clinical management of patients with increased risk for bronchoaspiration during airway management.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of gastric content and volume: a systematic review

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Bronchoaspiration of gastric content is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but evaluating this complication is a difficult task. However, gastric ultrasonography can safely assess gastric content and prevent bronchoaspiration. Therefore, a systematic review was performed in order to verify the efficacy of ultrasonography in the qualitative and quantitative analyses of gastric content. METHODS: A literature review of articles published between 2009 and 2019 in the PubMed and LILACS databases was conducted using combinations of the keywords "gastric ultrasound," "gastric emptying," and "gastric content." RESULTS: Of the 20 articles found, 19 chose the antral region as the best site for qualitative analysis of the gastric content. Regarding quantitative measurement, the most commonly used method to calculate the gastric volume in eight articles was the formula "Gastric Volume = 27 + (14.6 × ATAG) − (1.28 × Age)," in which the area of the transverse section of the gastric antrum (ATAG) could also be calculated by the largest antral diameters or by free tracing. CONCLUSION: An efficient evaluation of the gastric content can be performed by ultrasonography of the antral region, contributing to greater safety in the clinical management of patients with increased risk for bronchoaspiration during airway management.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: A broncoaspiração do conteúdo gástrico associa-se à alta morbimortalidade, porem a avaliação desta complicação é tarefa dificil. Por outro lado, a ultrassonografia gástrica avalia o conteúdo gástrico com segurança, podendo evitar a broncoaspiração. Portanto, foi realizada revisão sistemática com objetivo de verificar a aplicabilidade da ultrassonografia na análise qualitativa e quantitativa do conteúdo gástrico. MÉTODOS: Revisão de literatura de artigos publicados entre 2009 e 2019 nas bases de dados PubMed e LILACS usando combinações das palavras chave: "Gastric ultrasound", "gastric emptying" e "gastric content". RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 20 artigos. A região antral foi escolhida em 19 artigos como melhor local do ponto de vista qualitativo para analisar o conteúdo gástrico. A respeito da mensuração quantitativa, o método mais utilizado para cálculo do volume gástrico, escolhido em 8 artigos, foi através da fórmula Volume gástrico = 27 + (14,6 x ATAG) - (1,28 x Idade), em que a Área da Secção Transversa do Antro Gástrico (ATAG) pode ser igualmente calculada pelos maiores diâmetros antrais ou pelo seu traçado livre. CONCLUSÃO: A ultrassonografia da região antral permite boa avaliação do conteúdo gástrico, trazendo maior segurança ao manejo clínico de pacientess com risco aumentado para broncoaspiração no manejo da via aerea.

Síndrome pilórico causado por Linfoma No Hodgkin. Reporte de un caso / Pyloric syndrome caused by a Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. A case report

El síndrome pilórico es un conjunto de síntomas y signos que se producen por una obstrucción total o parcial de la región pilórica que trae como consecuencia la dificultad para el vaciamiento gástrico y la consiguiente retención de su contenido. Se trata de un paciente que presentó vómitos postpandrial tardíos y dolor abdominal difuso después de ingerir alimentos sólidos. Pasado un mes de estos síntomas, los vómitos procedían ante la ingesta de líquidos, acompañado de astenia, anorexia y pérdida de peso. Se atiende en el servicio de cirugía del Hospital "Dr. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna". Se realizó endoscopia que observó obstrucción pilórica completa sin etiología precisada. La laparotomía exploratoria encontró dilatación gástrica con edema y endurecimiento del antro pilórico, múltiples tumoraciones y endurecimientos de un segmento de la unión yeyuno e íleon. Se efectuó antrectomía con gastroyeyunostomía y Brown, con resección de 60 cm de intestino delgado, que incluyó las tumoraciones encontradas. El diagnóstico histológico fue de Linfoma no Hodgkin Linfocitico bien diferenciado. (AU)

Pyloric syndrome is a set of symptoms and signs that are produced by a total or partial obstruction of the pyloric region that results in difficulty in gastric emptying and the consequent retention of its contents. This patient presented with late postpandrial vomiting and diffuse abdominal pain after ingesting solid food. After one month of these symptoms, vomiting was even caused by the intake of liquids, accompanied by asthenia, anorexia and weight loss. He is treated in the surgery service of Dr. "Ernesto Guevara de la Serna" Hospital. An endoscopy was performed which observed complete pyloric obstruction without precise aetiology. Exploratory laparotomy found gastric dilatation with edema and hardening of the pyloric antrum, multiple tumors and hardening of a segment of the jejunum-ion junction. Antrectomy was performed with gastrojejunostomy and Brown, with resection of 60 cm of small intestine, which included the tumors found. The histological diagnosis was well-differentiated Lymphocytic Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. (AU)

High expression of Helicobacter pylori VapD in both the intracellular environment and biopsies from gastric patients with severity.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic atrophic gastritis and peptic ulcers and it has been associated with the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). One of the more remarkable characteristics of H. pylori is its ability to survive in the hostile environment of the stomach. H. pylori regulates the expression of specific sets of genes allowing it to survive high acidity levels and nutrient scarcity. In the present study, we determined the expression of virulence associated protein D (VapD) of H. pylori inside adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cells and in gastric biopsies. Using qRT-PCR, VapD expression was quantified in intracellular H. pylori-AGS cell cultures at different time points and in gastric mucosa biopsies from patients suffering from chronic atrophic gastritis, follicular gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastritis precancerous intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma. Our results show that vapD of H. pylori presented high transcription levels inside AGS cells, which increased up to two-fold above basal values across all assays over time. Inside AGS cells, H. pylori acquired a coccoid form that is metabolically active in expressing VapD as a protection mechanism, thereby maintaining its permanence in a viable non-cultivable state. VapD of H. pylori was expressed in all gastric biopsies, however, higher expression levels (p = 0.029) were observed in gastric antrum biopsies from patients with follicular gastritis. The highest VapD expression levels were found in both antrum and corpus gastric biopsies from older patients (>57 years old). We observed that VapD in H. pylori is a protein that is only produced in response to interactions with eukaryotic cells. Our results suggest that VapD contributes to the persistence of H. pylori inside the gastric epithelial cells, protecting the microorganism from the intracellular environment, reducing its growth rate, enabling long-term infection and treatment resistance.

Microbiota according to gastric topography in patients with low or high risk of gastric cancer in Nariño, Colombia / La microbiota según la topografía gástrica en pacientes con bajo y con alto riesgo de cáncer gástrico en Nariño, Colombia

Introduction: Inflammation in the gastric antrum caused by Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of duodenal ulcer while inflammation in the body generates atrophic gastritis and increased risk of gastric cancer. These inflammatory responses according to gastric topography could be explained by the composition of the gastric microbiota associated with H. pylori. Objective: To identify and compare the microbiota of the gastric antrum and body of individuals from two populations, one with high risk and one with low risk of gastric cancer from Nariño, Colombia. Materials and methods: Biopsies of the gastric antrum and body of patients with non-atrophic gastritis or metaplastic atrophic gastritis were included. The microbiota was defined by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, V3-V4 region, (illumina-MiSeq™). The operational taxonomic units were classified using the BLASTn and RDPII databases. The differences among microbial populations were evaluated with the PERMANOVA and multivariate analyses. Results: The Epsilonproteobacteria class represented by H. pylori was more abundant in the antrum and body biopsies of individuals with metaplastic atrophic gastritis (>50%) while in individuals with non-atrophic gastritis it was 20 % and had greater metagenomic diversity. Helicobacter pylori infection significantly decreases the metagenomic diversity of the gastric antrum (p=0.005) compared to that of the body. Conclusions: The bacterial groups involved in the dysbiosis can colonize both topographic regions of the stomach, regardless of the sectorized inflammation responses. Helicobacter pylori infection associated with the gastric microbiota is related to its localization in the stomach, the type of lesion, and the population at risk of gastric cancer, which suggests its importance in microbial dysbiosis and gastric disease.

Introducción. La inflamación del antro gástrico por Helicobacter pylori aumenta el riesgo de úlcera duodenal, y la del cuerpo gástrico puede producir gastritis atrófica e incrementar la probabilidad de cáncer gástrico. Estas reacciones inflamatorias diferenciadas según su localización, podrían explicarse por la composición de la microbiota gástrica asociada con H. pylori. Objetivo. Identificar y comparar la microbiota del antro y del cuerpo del estómago en individuos de dos poblaciones: una con alto riesgo y otra con bajo riesgo de cáncer gástrico en Nariño, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron biopsias del cuerpo y el antro gástrico de pacientes con gastritis no atrófica o con gastritis atrófica y metaplasia. La microbiota se definió por secuenciación de la región V3-V4 del gen 16S del ARNr de H. pylori (illumina-MiSeq™). Las unidades taxonómicas operativas se clasificaron utilizando las bases de datos BLASTn y RDPII. Las diferencias entre las poblaciones microbianas del antro y del cuerpo gástrico se evaluaron mediante el análisis de varianza multivariado con base en permutaciones (Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance, PERMANOVA) y análisis multivariados. Resultados. La clase Epsilonproteobacteria representada por H. pylori fue más abundante en las biopsias del antro y del cuerpo de los individuos con gastritis no atrófica (>50 %), en tanto que, en los individuos con gastritis no atrófica, esta clase correspondió al 20 % con una mayor diversidad metagenómica. La infección por H. pylori disminuyó significativamente la diversidad metagenómica del antro (p=0,005), en comparación con la del cuerpo gástrico. Conclusiones. Los grupos bacterianos involucrados en la disbacteriosis pueden colonizar ambas regiones topográficas del estómago, independientemente de las reacciones sectorizadas de inflamación. La infección por H. pylori asociada con la microbiota gástrica está relacionada con su localización en el estómago, el tipo de lesión y el mayor o menor riesgo de cáncer gástrico, lo que sugiere su importancia en la disbacteriosis y la de esta en la enfermedad gástrica.

La microbiota según la topografía gástrica en pacientes con bajo y con alto riesgo de cáncer gástrico en Nariño, Colombia / Microbiota according to gastric topography in patients with low or high risk of gastric cancer in Nariño, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La inflamación del antro gástrico por Helicobacter pylori aumenta el riesgo de úlcera duodenal, y la del cuerpo gástrico puede producir gastritis atrófica e incrementar la probabilidad de cáncer gástrico. Estas reacciones inflamatorias diferenciadas según su localización, podrían explicarse por la composición de la microbiota gástrica asociada con H. pylori. Objetivo. Identificar y comparar la microbiota del antro y del cuerpo del estómago en individuos de dos poblaciones: una con alto riesgo y otra con bajo riesgo de cáncer gástrico en Nariño, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron biopsias del cuerpo y el antro gástrico de pacientes con gastritis no atrófica o con gastritis atrófica y metaplasia. La microbiota se definió por secuenciación de la región V3-V4 del gen 16S del ARNr de H. pylori (illumina-MiSeq™). Las unidades taxonómicas operativas se clasificaron utilizando las bases de datos BLASTn y RDPII. Las diferencias entre las poblaciones microbianas del antro y del cuerpo gástrico se evaluaron mediante el análisis de varianza multivariado con base en permutaciones (Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance, PERMANOVA) y análisis multivariados. Resultados. La clase Epsilonproteobacteria representada por H. pylori fue más abundante en las biopsias del antro y del cuerpo de los individuos con gastritis no atrófica (>50 %), en tanto que, en los individuos con gastritis no atrófica, esta clase correspondió al 20 % con una mayor diversidad metagenómica. La infección por H. pylori disminuyó significativamente la diversidad metagenómica del antro (p=0,005), en comparación con la del cuerpo gástrico. Conclusiones. Los grupos bacterianos involucrados en la disbacteriosis pueden colonizar ambas regiones topográficas del estómago, independientemente de las reacciones sectorizadas de inflamación. La infección por H. pylori asociada con la microbiota gástrica está relacionada con su localización en el estómago, el tipo de lesión y el mayor o menor riesgo de cáncer gástrico, lo que sugiere su importancia en la disbacteriosis y la de esta en la enfermedad gástrica.

Abstract Introduction: Inflammation in the gastric antrum caused by Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of duodenal ulcer while inflammation in the body generates atrophic gastritis and increased risk of gastric cancer. These inflammatory responses according to gastric topography could be explained by the composition of the gastric microbiota associated with H. pylori. Objective: To identify and compare the microbiota of the gastric antrum and body of individuals from two populations, one with high risk and one with low risk of gastric cancer from Nariño, Colombia. Materials and methods: Biopsies of the gastric antrum and body of patients with non-atrophic gastritis or metaplastic atrophic gastritis were included. The microbiota was defined by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, V3-V4 region, (illumina-MiSeq™). The operational taxonomic units were classified using the BLASTn and RDPII databases. The differences among microbial populations were evaluated with the PERMANOVA and multivariate analyses. Results: The Epsilonproteobacteria class represented by H. pylori was more abundant in the antrum and body biopsies of individuals with metaplastic atrophic gastritis (>50%) while in individuals with non-atrophic gastritis it was 20 % and had greater metagenomic diversity. Helicobacter pylori infection significantly decreases the metagenomic diversity of the gastric antrum (p=0.005) compared to that of the body. Conclusions: The bacterial groups involved in the dysbiosis can colonize both topographic regions of the stomach, regardless of the sectorized inflammation responses. Helicobacter pylori infection associated with the gastric microbiota is related to its localization in the stomach, the type of lesion, and the population at risk of gastric cancer, which suggests its importance in microbial dysbiosis and gastric disease.

Arginase-1 and Treg Profile Appear to Modulate Inflammatory Process in Patients with Chronic Gastritis: IL-33 May Be the Alarm Cytokine in H. pylori-Positive Patients.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a highly prevalent bacterium in our environment, directly involved in various upper digestive tract diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Several molecules activating the immune system have been reported to be involved in containing H. pylori infection. This study is aimed at analyzing the mRNA expression of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-10, TGF-ß, IL-6, IL-22, IL-23, and IL-33; transcription factors T-bet, RORC, and FOXP3; enzymes ARG1, ARG2, and NOS2; and neuropeptides VIP and TAC and their respective receptors VIPR1 and TACR1 in the stomach lining of patients with severe digestive disorders. One hundred and twenty six patients have been evaluated, presenting with symptoms in the upper digestive tract, with the clinical indication for an Upper Digestive Endoscopy exam. Two fragments of the mucosa of the gastric body and antrum have been collected for anatomopathological examination and to analyze the expression of enzymes, cytokines, and transcription factors using qPCR. Expression of the ARG1 gene was seen as significantly higher in the group of patients with chronic inactive gastritis than in the control group. Expression of the TGF-ß gene and its FOXP3 transcription factor was significantly higher in the group of chronic inactive gastritis patients than in the control. Expression of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-ß and the transcription factors, T-bet and RORC, in the presence or absence of H. pylori showed no significant difference. However, the expression of FOXP3 was significantly lower in H. pylori-positive patients than that in H. pylori-negative patients. ARG1 and Treg profile appeared to be modulating the inflammatory process, protecting patients from the tissue lesions with chronic inactive gastritis. Furthermore, we suggest that IL-33 may be a crucial mediator of the immune response against an infection, after gastric mucosal damage.

Genotypic determination of resistance and heteroresistance to clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori isolates from antrum and corpus of Colombian symptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori first-line treatment has decreased drastically with the rise of strains resistant to clarithromycin. Therapy failure has also been described in patients with infections by strains with dissimilar antimicrobial susceptibilities. The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of resistance and heteroresistance to clarithromycin in H. pylori isolates from antrum and corpus of Colombian patients. METHODS: The study material included 126 isolates from antrum and corpus biopsies from 63 symptomatic patients over 18 years old who had a gastric endoscopy performed on them between June 2014 to August 2016. PCR amplification and sequencing of the H. pylori 23S rDNA gene was performed to determine the presence of mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis was implemented in cases of resistance and heteroresistance. RESULTS: The overall frequency of resistance to clarithromycin was 38.1% (24/63 patients), of which 19 patients had resistant isolates in both stomach segments (14 with A2143G mutation and 5 with A2142G mutation), and 5 patients had a heteroresistant status. The remaining 61.9% (39/63 patients) presented only susceptible isolates. DNA fingerprinting analysis showed different patterns in 4/22 paired isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of H. pylori clarithromycin-resistance obtained (> 15%) constitutes an alert for gastroenterologists and suggests the need for reconsideration of the current eradication regimen for H. pylori in the studied population. The data show that heteroresistance status is an additional factor to be considered in the assessment of resistance. In consequence, it is advisable to examine at least two biopsies from different gastric segments.

Ultrasound assessment of gastric antrum in term pregnant women before elective cesarean section / Ultrassom de antro gástrico em gestantes a termo antes de cesariana eletiva

Abstract Background and objectives: Pregnant women are considered patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. The study aim was to evaluate the gastric antral cross-sectional area using ultrasound. Method: In this prospective study, 85 scheduled term pregnant women underwent gastric ultrasound. The outcomes were the measurement of the gastric antral cross-sectional area (main outcome), the estimated gastric volume, the incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration, and the association between gastric antral cross-sectional area and clinical-demographic characteristics. Gastric antral cross-sectional area and gastric volume were compared according to body mass index <30 or ≥30. Results: The median (IIQ) for gastric antral cross-sectional area was 4 cm2 (2.8-6.3), for the estimated gastric volume it was 49.8 mL (33.7-87.2), and for the gastric volume estimated in mL.kg-1 it was 0.62 mL.kg-1 (0.39-0.95). The 95th percentile [95% confidence interval (CI)] of the gastric antral cross-sectional area and the estimated gastric volume were ≤10.3 cm2 (95% CI: 7.6-15.6) and 1.42 mL.kg-1 (95% CI: 1.20-2.64), respectively. The incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration was 3.5% (CI: 3.5 (1.2-9.8)). There was a positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area and weight, p < 0.001 and body mass index <0.001. Patients with a body mass index ≥30 had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than those with a body mass index <30, respectively, p < 0.01 and p < 0.02. Conclusion: Measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area of pregnant women is feasible and easy. There was positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area, body weight and body mass index. The estimation of gastric volume by measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area can identify patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Obese patients had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than non-obese patients.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: As gestantes são consideradas pacientes de risco para aspiração pulmonar do conteúdo gástrico. O objetivo foi avaliar a área transversal do antro gástrico por meio de ultrassonografia. Método: Neste estudo prospectivo, 85 gestantes a termo agendadas foram submetidas à ultrassonografia do antro gástrico. Os desfechos foram a mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico (desfecho principal), a estimativa do volume gástrico, a incidência de gestantes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar, a associação entre a área transversal do antro gástrico e características clínico-demográficas. A área transversal do antro gástrico e do volume gástrico foi comparada de acordo com o índice de massa corporal < 30 ou ≥ 30. Resultados: A mediana (IIQ) da área transversal do antro gástrico foi 4 cm2 (2,8-6,3), do volume gástrico estimado 49,8 mL (33,7-87,2) e do volume gástrico estimado em mL.kg-1 de 0,62 mL.kg-1 (0,39-0,95). O percentil 95 [intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%] da área transversal do antro gástrico e do volume gástrico estimado foi ≤ 10,3 cm2 (IC 95%: 7,6-15,6) e 1,42 mL.kg-1 (IC 95%: 1,20-2,64), respectivamente. A incidência de gestantes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar foi de 3,5% (IC: 3,5 (1,2-9,8). Houve correlação positiva entre a área transversal do antro gástrico e peso, p < 0,001 e índice de massa corporal p < 0,001. As pacientes com índice de massa corporal ≥ 30 apresentaram maior área transversal do antro gástrico, e do volume gástrico estimado, do que as com índice de massa corporal < 30, respectivamente p < 0,01 e p < 0,02. Conclusão: A mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico de gestantes é factível e fácil. A área transversal do antro gástrico correlacionou-se positivamente com peso e índice de massa corporal. A estimativa do volume gástrico através da mensuração da área transversal do antro gástrico pode identificar pacientes sob risco de aspiração pulmonar. As pacientes obesas apresentaram área transversal do antro gástrico e volume gástrico estimado maior do que as não obesas.

[Ultrasound assessment of gastric antrum in term pregnant women before elective cesarean section]. / Ultrassom de antro gástrico em gestantes a termo antes de cesariana eletiva.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pregnant women are considered patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. The study aim was to evaluate the gastric antral cross-sectional area using ultrasound. METHOD: In this prospective study, 85 scheduled term pregnant women underwent gastric ultrasound. The outcomes were the measurement of the gastric antral cross-sectional area (main outcome), the estimated gastric volume, the incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration, and the association between gastric antral cross-sectional area and clinical-demographic characteristics. Gastric antral cross-sectional area and gastric volume were compared according to body mass index <30 or ≥ 30. RESULTS: The median (IIQ) for gastric antral cross-sectional area was 4cm2 (2.8-6.3), for the estimated gastric volume it was 49.8mL (33.7-87.2), and for the gastric volume estimated in mL.kg-1 it was 0.62mL.kg-1 (0.39-0.95). The 95th percentile [95% confidence interval (CI)] of the gastric antral cross-sectional area and the estimated gastric volume were ≤ 10.3cm2 (95% CI: 7.6-15.6) and 1.42mL.kg-1 (95% CI: 1.20-2.64), respectively. The incidence of pregnant women at risk for pulmonary aspiration was 3.5% (CI: 3.5 (1.2-9.8). There was a positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area and weight, p <0.001 and body mass index <0.001. Patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than those with a body mass index <30, respectively, p <0.01 and p <0.02. CONCLUSION: Measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area of pregnant women is feasible and easy. There was positive correlation between gastric antral cross-sectional area, body weight and body mass index. The estimation of gastric volume by measuring the gastric antral cross-sectional area can identify patients at risk for pulmonary aspiration. Obese patients had a gastric antral cross-sectional area and an estimated gastric volume greater than non-obese patients.

PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY: IMPACT OF THE TECHNIQUE ON OPERATIVE OUTCOMES AND SURGICAL MORTALITY.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a procedure associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Initially described as gastropancreaticoduodenectomy (GPD), the possibility of preservation of the gastric antrum and pylorus was described in the 1970s. AIM: To evaluate the mortality and operative variables of PD with or without pyloric preservation and to correlate them with the adopted technique and surgical indication. METHOD: Retrospective cohort on data analysis of medical records of individuals who underwent PD from 2012 through 2017. Demographic, anthropometric and operative variables were analyzed and correlated with the adopted technique (GPD vs. PD) and the surgical indication. RESULTS: Of the 87 individuals evaluated, 38 (43.7%) underwent GPD and 49 (53.3%) were submitted to PD. The frequency of GPD (62.5%) was significantly higher among patients with pancreatic neoplasia (p=0.04). The hospital stay was significantly shorter among the individuals submitted to resection due to neoplasias of less aggressive behavior (p=0.04). Surgical mortality was 10.3%, with no difference between GPD and PD. Mortality was significantly higher among individuals undergoing resection for chronic pancreatitis (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in mortality, surgical time, bleeding or hospitalization time between GPD and PD. Pancreas head neoplasm was associated with a higher indication of GPD. Resection of less aggressive neoplasms was associated with lower morbidity and mortality.

Esophagocardioplasty, vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: indication in cases with severe esophageal motor disfunction.

Almost 10% of patients with Crest syndrome associated with severe gastroesophageal reflux and 5-10% of patients with failed cardiomyotomy for achalasia present with cardial or distal esophageal organic stricture. Some of these cases are poor risk patients for surgery and therefore the surgeon must offer a safe procedure with low morbimortality, keeping in mind the pathophysiological motor pattern of these patients.In order to treat the stricture to improve the esophageal transit we treated patients with esophagocardioplasty associated with vagotomy-antrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy, thereby avoiding the potential acid or biliary reflux in poor risk patients in whom esophagectomy would be a very deleterious procedure. All four patients had a good postoperative evolution and late control demonstrated good esophagogastric transit with no postoperative esophagitis.

Elevated Gastric Antrum Erosions in Portal Hypertension Patients: Peptic Disease or Mucosal Congestion?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Portal hypertension (PH) is a syndrome characterized by chronic increase in the pressure gradient between the portal vein and inferior vena cava. Previous studies have suggested an increased frequency of antral elevated erosive gastritis in patients with PH, as well as an etiologic association; however, there has not been any histological evidence of this hypothesis to date. Our aim was to evaluate the histological features found in elevated antral erosions in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were included; 28 with and 41 without PH. All patients underwent endoscopy, and areas with elevated antral erosion were biopsied. RESULTS: In the PH group, 24 patients had inflammatory infiltration with or without edema and vascular congestion, and 4 patients had no inflammation. In the group without PH, all patients showed inflammatory infiltration of variable intensity. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in the presence of Helicobacter pylori. There as a histological similarity between the two groups, if PH patients without inflammation were excluded; however, more edema and vascular congestion were observed in the PH group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that elevated antral erosions in patients with PH have more evident edema and vascular congestion in addition to lymphocytic infiltration.

Qualitative and quantitative ultrasound assessment of gastric content.

OBJECTIVE:: Pulmonary aspiration of the gastric contents is one of the most feared complications in anesthesia. Its prevention depends on preoperative fasting as well as identification of risky patients. A reliable diagnostic tool to assess gastric volume is currently lacking. The aim of this study performed on volunteers was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonography to identify qualitative and quantitative gastric content. METHOD:: A standardized gastric scanning protocol was applied on 67 healthy volunteers to assess the gastric antrum in four different situations: fasting, after ingesting clear fluid, milk and a solid meal. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the gastric content in the antrum was performed by a blinded sonographer. The antrum was considered either as empty, or containing clear or thick fluid, or solids. Total gastric volume was predicted based on a cross-sectional area of the antrum. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:: For each type of gastric content, the sonographic characteristics of the antrum and its content were described and illustrated. Sonographic qualitative assessment allowed to distinguish between an empty stomach and one with different kinds of meal. The predicted gastric volume was significantly larger after the consumption of any food source compared to fasting. CONCLUSION:: Bedside sonography can determine the nature of gastric content. It is also possible to estimate the difference between an empty gastric antrum and one that has some food in it. Such information may be useful to estimate the risk of aspiration, particularly in situations when prandial status is unknown or uncertain.

Qualitative and quantitative ultrasound assessment of gastric content / Avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa do conteúdo gástrico através da ultrassonografia

Summary Objective: Pulmonary aspiration of the gastric contents is one of the most feared complications in anesthesia. Its prevention depends on preoperative fasting as well as identification of risky patients. A reliable diagnostic tool to assess gastric volume is currently lacking. The aim of this study performed on volunteers was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonography to identify qualitative and quantitative gastric content. Method: A standardized gastric scanning protocol was applied on 67 healthy volunteers to assess the gastric antrum in four different situations: fasting, after ingesting clear fluid, milk and a solid meal. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the gastric content in the antrum was performed by a blinded sonographer. The antrum was considered either as empty, or containing clear or thick fluid, or solids. Total gastric volume was predicted based on a cross-sectional area of the antrum. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: For each type of gastric content, the sonographic characteristics of the antrum and its content were described and illustrated. Sonographic qualitative assessment allowed to distinguish between an empty stomach and one with different kinds of meal. The predicted gastric volume was significantly larger after the consumption of any food source compared to fasting. Conclusion: Bedside sonography can determine the nature of gastric content. It is also possible to estimate the difference between an empty gastric antrum and one that has some food in it. Such information may be useful to estimate the risk of aspiration, particularly in situations when prandial status is unknown or uncertain.

Resumo Objetivo: A aspiração pulmonar do conteúdo gástrico é uma das complicações mais temidas em anestesia. A sua prevenção depende do jejum pré-operatório e da identificação dos pacientes de risco. Não há um método diagnóstico que possa acessar o conteúdo gástrico a qualquer momento. O objetivo deste estudo realizado em voluntários foi fazer uma avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa do conteúdo gástrico utilizando a ultrassonografia. Método: O estudo foi realizado em 67 voluntários utilizando uma técnica já descrita de avaliação do antro gástrico, em quatro diferentes situações: jejum, após a ingestão de líquido claro, leite ou refeição sólida. Foi feita uma avaliação qualitativa e quantitativa do conteúdo gástrico por um radiologista que desconhecia o estado gástrico do voluntário. O antro foi considerado vazio, contendo líquido claro ou espesso, ou sólido. O volume total do estômago foi calculado com base na área seccional do antro. Um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Para cada tipo de conteúdo gástrico, as características ultrassonográficas do antro e de seu conteúdo foram descritas e ilustradas. A avaliação qualitativa pode distinguir um estômago vazio de outros com diferentes conteúdos. O volume gástrico calculado foi significativamente maior após a ingestão de qualquer alimento em comparação com o jejum. Conclusão: A ultrassonografia à beira do leito pode determinar a natureza do conteúdo gástrico. Também foi possível diferenciar um antro vazio daquele com algum volume. Essas informações podem ser úteis na determinação do risco de aspiração gástrica, principalmente se a condição gástrica é desconhecida ou incerta.