Cure of Helicobacter pylori-positive active duodenal ulcer patients: a double-blind, multicentre, 12-month study comparing a two-week dual vs a one-week triple therapy. GISU (Interdisciplinary Group for Ulcer Study).

AIMS: To compare a two-week dual therapy to a one-week triple therapy for the healing of duodenal ulcer and the eradication of the Helicobacter pylori infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients with active duodenal ulcer were enrolled in the study. At entry, endoscopy, clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed. Histology and the rapid urease test were used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients received either lansoprazole 30 mg plus amoxycillin 1 g bid for two weeks (two-week, dual therapy) or lansoprazole 30 mg plus amoxycillin 1 g plus tinidazole 500 mg bid for one week plus lansoprazole qd for an additional week (one-week, triple therapy). Two and twelve months after cessation of therapy, endoscopy and clinical assessments were repeated. RESULTS: Duodenal ulcer healing and Helicobacter pylori eradication were both significantly greater (p<0.0001) in the triple therapy group (healing: 98.6%; Helicobacter pylori cure rate: 72.6%) than in the dual therapy group (healing: 77.3%; Helicobacter pylori cure rate: 33.3%). Ulcers healed more frequently in Helicobacter pyloricured than in Helicobacter pylori-not cured patients (94.9% vs. 77.2%; p<0.0022). After one year, Helicobacter pylori eradication was re-confirmed in 46/58 patients previously treated with the triple therapy and in 10/40 patients treated with the dual therapy [p<0.0001]. Only three duodenal ulcer relapses were observed throughout follow-up: all were in Helicobacter pylori-not cured patients. CONCLUSIONS: Triple therapy was more effective than dual both in curing Helicobacter pylori infection and healing active duodenal ulcers. The speed of ulcer healing obtained after only 7 days of antibiotics and 14 days of proton pump inhibitors confirmed that longer periods of anti ulcer therapy were not necessary. Helicobacter pylori -not cured patients had more slowly healing ulcers which were more apt to relapse when left untreated.

[Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: effectiveness of surgery combined with corticosteroid therapy]. / Fibrosi retroperitoneale idiopatica: efficacia della terapia associata chirurgica e corticosteroidea.

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (ERF) is a rare disease characterized by non-neoplastic fibroblastic and inflammatory proliferation. We describe a case of a 58-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain, weight loss and abdominal mass on clinical examination. The patient was evaluated by abdominal CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging which disclosed a periaortic soft-tissue mass with marked longitudinal extension below renal arteries origin. The diagnosis of ERF was histologically confirmed after surgical exploration and biopsies followed by extensive ablation of fibrous tissue. After 6 months of low-doses of postoperative steroid therapy retroperitoneal fibrous tissue had almost disappeared on CT examination.

[Systemic mastocytosis with portal hypertension and hepatocellular failure]. / Mastocitosi sistemica con ipertensione portale e insufficienza epatocellulare.

Systemic mastocytosis is a rare disease of mast cell proliferation with cutaneous and multi-visceral involvement. Portal hypertension and ascites are rare manifestations of systemic mastocytosis. We report a case of systemic mastocytosis presenting with extensive nodular cutaneous lesions and hepatic dysfunction, manifested by portal hypertension (ascites, splenomegaly) and derangement of metabolic function (hyperammonemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia), a picture resembling that of a common cirrhotic form. The correct diagnosis was established only after tissue sections were appropriately stained for mast cells. On the basis of our and other observations we suggest that systemic mastocytosis be added to the list of infiltrative diseases of the liver with potential evolution to portal hypertension and compromise of biochemical functions.

Conscious sedation during endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography: implementation of SIED-SIAARTI-ANOTE guidelines in Belluno Hospital.

AIM: In this study we describe the results of adoption of local guidelines for conscious sedation (CS) during endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Belluno Hospital. Local guidelines were created referring to SIED-SIAARTI-ANOTE guidelines for CS in gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: Between January 2002 and February 2004, 300 ERCPs to be performed under CS have been scheduled. According to local guidelines CS was performed by the gastroenterologist assisted by an anesthesia nurse. An anesthesiologist was always on call in the intensive care unit (ICU) for emergencies and could be on the site in less than 5 min. RESULTS: In 278 patients the procedure was performed safely and effectively by the gastroenterologist without any anesthesiological assistance. At follow-up controls patients had either positive or no recollection of the procedure. An anesthesiologist was called in 13 cases to perform deep sedation and in 9 cases to deal with undesired effects (arterial hypertension in 5 patients, 1 episode of bradycardia, 1 of ventricular tachycardia, 1 of atrial fibrillation and 1 of hypoxia). CONCLUSION: In our experience, CS during ERCP can be safely performed autonomously by a gastroenterologist in the majority of cases. Drug prescription protocol and the presence of an anesthesia nurse create ideal conditions for the operator, patient comfort and good results with a low incidence of undesired events and few calls for the anesthesiologist. To allow safe and effective performance of CS, the Department of Anesthesia should promote the in-service training and up dating of gastroenterologists and anesthesia nurses.