Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma risk: the experience of the North-Eastern Italian Registry (EBRA).

OBJECTIVE: To establish the incidence and risk factors for progression to high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-IEN) or Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BAc) in a prospective cohort of patients with esophageal intestinal metaplasia [(BE)]. BACKGROUND: BE is associated with an increased risk of BAc unless cases are detected early by surveillance. No consistent data are available on the prevalence of BE-related cancer, the ideal surveillance schedule, or the risk factors for cancer. METHODS: In 2003, a regional registry of BE patients was created in north-east Italy, establishing the related diagnostic criteria (endoscopic landmarks, biopsy protocol, histological classification) and timing of follow-up (tailored to histology) and recording patient outcomes. Thirteen centers were involved and audited yearly. The probability of progression to HG-IEN/BAc was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method; the Cox regression model was used to calculate the risk of progression. RESULTS: HG-IEN (10 cases) and EAc (7 cases) detected at the index endoscopy or in the first year of follow-up were considered to be cases of preexisting disease and excluded; 841 patients with at least 2 endoscopies {median, 3 [interquartile range (IQR): 2-4); median follow-up = 44.6 [IQR: 24.7-60.5] months; total 3083 patient-years} formed the study group [male/female = 646/195; median age, 60 (IQR: 51-68) years]. Twenty-two patients progressed to HG-IEN or BAc (incidence: 0.72 per 100 patient-years) after a median of 40.2 (26.9-50.4) months. At multivariate analysis, endoscopic abnormalities, that is, ulceration or nodularity (P = 0.0002; relative risk [RR] = 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.63-21.9), LG-IEN (P = 0.02, RR = 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-11.43), and BE length (P = 0.01; RR = 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.30) were associated with BE progression. Among the LG-IEN patients, the incidence of HG-IEN/EAc was 3.17 patient-years, that is, 6 times higher than in BE patients without LG-IEN. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in the absence of intraepithelial neoplastic changes, BE carries a low risk of progression to HG-IEN/BAc, and strict surveillance (or ablative therapy) is advisable in cases with endoscopic abnormalities, LG-IEN or long BE segments.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection does not affect liver histology or response to therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin in intravenous drug users with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: the frequency and the impact of occult HBV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection is still a matter of some controversy. OBJECTIVES: our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of occult HBV infection and assess its impact on liver biochemistry, HCV viral titre, liver histology and on outcome of therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. STUDY DESIGN: paired liver biopsies and serum samples were collected from 51 patients (84% IVDUS) with HBsAg negative chronic hepatitis C, and tested for HBV-DNA with nested PCR. Liver biopsies were further studied histologically, with morphometric analyses and immunostaining techniques. Twenty-five were treated with alpha Interferon and ribavirin and followed for at least 18 months. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in 29.4% of liver tissue specimens and in only one (1.9%) serum sample. Three liver specimens were positive for surface gene, nine for core gene, three for both and none for the X gene. No significant difference in mean transaminase values, HCV viral titre, HCV genotype, or grading and staging and morphometric analysis was observed in patients with or without HBV DNA. Moreover, all 51 liver specimens were negative for both HBsAg and HBcAg. Sustained response to combination therapy was achieved in 40% of patients with and in 53% of patients without HBV DNA in the liver specimens (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA is frequently found in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the lack of any significant impact on HCV viral titre, liver enzymes, histological parameters and response to therapy, suggests that in most cases HBV DNA detected in the liver by PCR may be either an integrated or low level replicative form.

Molecular resonance vs. coblation tonsillectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Quantum molecular resonance coagulation is an innovative technology that uses molecular resonance to cut and coagulate precisely, cleanly, and hemostatically at low tissue temperature levels. This technology offers a new possibility for tonsillectomy. OBJECTIVES: To compare molecular resonance (MRT) with coblation (CAT) devices for pediatric tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, two-group, randomized trial in a tertiary care pediatric institution. One hundred fifty-seven children for whom tonsillectomy was indicated were randomly assigned to receive MRT (n = 79) or CAT (n = 78). Main outcome measures included intraoperative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, and weight loss. Histopathologic examination was performed on all excised tonsils. Patients, parents, and pathologist were blinded to surgical modality. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation revealed significantly reduced thermal injury with MRT than with CAT (43 microns vs. 126, respectively, P < .001), and was statistically associated with reduced muscular, blood vessel, and nerve fiber damage. No intraoperative blood loss was observed in patients following MRT. Statistically significant reduced pain scores were related to the MRT (P < .002). In addition, the MRT method showed a quick return to normal diet with even weight gain during the 10-day postoperative period. One child in the CAT group experienced delayed bleeding and required readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular resonance for pediatric tonsillectomy resulted in significantly reduced histopathologic thermal injury and lower pain scores compared with coblation. Further studies are advised to support these data.